Govt re-imposes Covid restrictions in selected cities

Amid the increasing number of coronavirus cases across Pakistan, the government on Monday has announced to re-impose certain restrictions in selected cities from August 3 to August 31.

“After approval of Prime Minister Imran Khan, the National Command and Operation Center (NCOC) has decided to impose certain restrictions in Islamabad; Rawalapindi, Lahore, Multan, and Faisalabad in Punjab, Peshawar and Abbotabad in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Karachi and Hyderabad in Sindh, Muzaffarabad and Mirpur in Azad Jammu and Kashmir, and Gilgit and Skardu in Gilgit Baltistan,” Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Asad Umar said after a meeting with the prime minister.

Special Assistant to Prime Minister on National Health Services Dr Faisal Sultan was also present in the press conference.

Asad Umar said the Sindh government had already imposed a smart lock down in Karachi and Hyderabad till August 8, while from the federal government’s decisions would apply in these cities from August 9 onwards.

He said markets which were allowed to remain open till 10pm would now again be closed at 8pm in the selected cities.

Similarly, he said the markets would now also be closed two days a week instead of one.

“The off days will be decided by the respected provinces,” he added.

Furthermore, Umar said the government had allowed indoor dining for vaccinated people only, however, given the current circumstances the decision was being taken back.

“Very weak compliance was witnessed in restaurants and it was not possible for the administration to check every restaurant in this regard,” he maintained.

The government, he said, has decided to allow outdoor dining only till 10pm. However, take away and delivery services would remain open till 12 midnight.

With respect to offices, the minister pointed out that 50 per cent attendance would be allowed in all public and private offices while the remaining 50 per cent employees would work from home.