ISLAMABAD: As the third wave of the coronavirus intensifies, Pakistan has recorded the highest single-day toll since June 30 with 4,974 new COVID-19 cases in the last 24 hours.
The nation has recorded 98 more deaths, raising the total number of deaths to 14,530.
Coronavirus cases had a positivity rating of 9.92 percent, for a record of 672,931 cases.
The total number of open cases is 53,127, with 605,274 recoveries around the world.
The third wave of coronavirus proved to be more deadly and infectious than the previous two. It has raised questions among health experts.
To combat the transmission of the virus, the National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC) has declared a full ban on conducting wedding functions.
According to NCOC both indoor and outdoor should be banned completely.
Areas, where the three-day rolling average of the virus positivity ratio is at or above 8%, will experience a complete ban.
According to the NCOC, the government is also considering tightening inter-provincial travel restrictions.
NCOC has announced a complete ban on wedding functions
From April 5th onwards, the NCOC has declared a “full ban on marriages (both indoor and outdoor).”
The National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC) declared on Sunday that from April 5, wedding events — both indoor and outdoor — would be banned in areas with a three-day rolling average of an 8% positivity ratio.
The decisions were taken at a meeting held on Sunday by the coronavirus control body.
Asad Umar, the Federal Minister of Planning and Development, presided over the conference, which was also attended by the chief ministers of all four provinces via video connection.
NCOC Special Session 28 March-Decisions
Complete ban on marriages (including indoor & Outdoor) from 5th April onwards. However, provinces will be at liberty to implement restrictions in early time frame as per the situation on ground.
— NCOC (@OfficialNcoc) March 28, 2021
NCOC will provide updated hotspot maps to Provinces for enforcement of Expanded lockdowns with effect from 29th March 21
— NCOC (@OfficialNcoc) March 28, 2021
the NCOC statement also read, “However, provinces will be at liberty to implement restrictions in early time frame as per the situation on ground.”
All kind of gatherings (indoor / outdoor) will be banned with immediate effect. This will include all social, cultural, political, sports and other events.
— NCOC (@OfficialNcoc) March 28, 2021
These decisions will be implemented in districts / cities with 8 % positivity percentage (three days rolling average)
— NCOC (@OfficialNcoc) March 28, 2021
According to the NCOC, the government is also considering tightening inter-provincial travel restrictions. The statement said, “Various options for minimizing inter-provincial transportation were considered.”
The final decision, according to the NCOC, would be based on feedback from all provinces and a review of data on the number of inter-provincial commuters by air, train, and road.
With effect from March 29, 2021, the NCOC will include revised hotspot maps to provinces for the implementation of extended lockdowns, according to the NCOC.
It also instructed provinces to ensure that the NCOC’s vaccine targets are met in a timely manner.
