NCOC decides to open outdoor restaurants, outdoor marriage functions, tourism & education institutes

ISLAMABAD, Pakistan: The National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC) Session was held in Islamabad on Wednesday under the Chairmanship of Federal Minister for Planning, Development, and Special Initiatives Asad Umar.

The Session was Co-chaired by the NCOC National Coordinator Lt General Hamood Uz Zaman Khan.

The Prime Minister’s Special Assistant on National Health Services Dr. Faisal Sultan, the Sindh Health Minister Dr. Azra Pechuho, and Chief Secretaries of all Federating Units attended the NCOC Session via video link.

A detailed review of disease prevalence in the Country and corresponding Nonpharmaceutical Interventions (NPIs) was taken.

Following important decisions regarding NPIs were taken after extensive deliberations:

Sectors Opening from May 24, 2021:

1. Outdoor Restaurants will be opened daily till 23:59 hours. Takeaways allowed 24/7.
2. Opening of Tourism Sector under Stringent COVID Protocols. Separate instructions on protocols being issued to all Federating Units.
3. Opening of Education Institutes in districts with less than 5% positivity (Staggered opening)

Sectors opening from June 1, 2021 (Subject to review on May 27)

1. Outdoor Marriage Ceremonies with maximum 150 Individuals will be allowed.
2. Staggered Opening of Education Sector from June 7 (other than those opened from May 24)

Closures of the following to continue till further Review:

1. Shrines
2. Cinemas
3. Indoor Dining
4. Indoor Gyms
5. Amusement Parks (however, walking/jogging tracks will remain open with strict adherence to COVID SOPs)
6. Complete ban on contact sports, festivals, cultural and other events
7. Ban on all types of indoor/outdoor gatherings (cultural, musical/religious/miscellaneous events)
8. Ban on inter Provincial Public Transport for two closed days (Saturday/Sunday) with effect from May 22, 2021

Miscellaneous Decisions:

1. Compliance to compulsory mask-wearing while incorporating innovative measures for enforcement
2. Implementation of broader lockdowns with stringent enforcement protocols based on risk assessment
3. Continuation of current In-bound and Land Border policy till further orders
4. Gadani and Misri Shah Industry will be re-opened from May 20, 2021
5. Elective Surgeries will be reopened from June 1
6. All SSC/HSSC exams will be held after June 20, 2021. Whereas, the conduct of all professional/Non-Professional exams will take place on a case-to-case basis as recommended by the Ministry of Education.

Sectors already allowed on May 17:

1. Resumption of normal Office Working Hours with 50% strength (50% Work from Home)
2. Resumption of Market activities with closure by 08:00 pm (less essential services including export-related sector)
3. Public transport with 50% Capacity
4. Railways to operate with 70% occupancy
5. 2 x days as closed days during a week

Detailed Review of NPIs will be carried out on May 27 and June 7, 2021 respectively.

A critical monitoring of Disease prevalence and Critical Health Care System is being carried out on daily basis, and necessary steps will be taken accordingly, whenever deemed appropriate to control the disease spread.