Educational institutes to open from Monday; Marriage ceremonies from June 21

National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC) Wednesday announced the opening of educational institutes from May 24 in all those districts where the positivity ratio of coronavirus cases is less than 5 percent.

The NCOC also allowed outdoor dining in restaurants from Monday as well as allowing outdoor marriage ceremonies with maximum of 150 Individuals will be allowed for outdoor ceremonies from June 21.

The decisions came in an NCOC session held under the chairmanship of Asad Umar and was Co-chaired by Lt General Hamood uz Zaman Khan.

SAPM Health, Sindh Health Minister and Chief Secretaries of all Federating Units attended the session via video link. A detailed review of disease prevalence in the country and corresponding NPIs was taken. Following important decisions regarding NPIs were taken after extensive deliberations:

Sectors Opening from May 24:

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 1st June 21 (Subject to review on 27th May)

Outdoor marriage ceremonies with max 150 Individuals will be allowed.

Staggered Opening of education sector from 7th June (other than those opened from 24th May)

Closures of following to continue till further Review: Shrines, Cinemas, Indoor Dining, Indoor Gyms, Amusement Parks (however, walking / jogging tracks will remain open with strict adherence of COVID SOPs)

Complete ban on contact sports, festivals, cultural and other events

Ban on all types of indoor / outdoor gatherings (cultural, musical / religious / miscellaneous events)

Ban on inter Provincial Public Transport for two closed days (Sat / Sun) wef 22 May 21

Miscellaneous Decisions:

Compliance to compulsory mask wearing while incorporating innovative measures for enforcement

Implementation of broader lockdowns with stringent enforcement protocols based on risk assessment

Continuation of current In-bound and Land Border policy till further orders

Gadani and Misri Shah Industry will be re-opened from 20 May 21

Elective Surgeries will be reopened from 1st June

All SSC / HSSC exams will be held after 20 June 21. Whereas, conduct of all professional / Non-Professional exams will take place on case-to-case basis as recommended by the Ministry of Education.

Sectors Already allowed on 17TH May:

Resumption of normal Office Working Hours with 50% strength (50% Work from Home)

Resumption of Market activities with closure by 08:00 pm (less essential services including export related sector)

Public transport with 50% Capacity

Railways to operate with 70% occupancy

2 x days as closed days during a week

Detailed Review of NPIs will be carried out on 27th May and 7th June 21 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 deem appropriate to control the disease spread.