The National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC) has announced relaxing some Covid-19 restrictions, reported 24News HD TV channel on Monday.
According to the NCOC, the working hours of business centres across the country have been extended up to 10pm from July 1 and the provincial government will decide the fate of summer vacation in educational institutes.
Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Asad Umar chaired a session of NCOC to review the coronavirus situation in the country. National Coordinator Lieutenant General Hamood Uz Zaman Khan co-chaired the session while SAPM Health Dr Faisal Sultan was also present.
The NCOC special session discussed the Covid-19 situation prevailing in the country. The body decided to allow business centers to remain open till 10 pm whereas essential businesses including petrol pumps, medical stores etc would be allowed to open 24/7.
The revised guidelines will come into force from July 1, 2021. The NCOC allowed outdoor dining along with indoor dining with 50% sitting capacity. The indoor dining is conditioned to vaccinated individuals as only inoculated people will be given access to the indoor dining.
Following are some of the decisions taken by the NCOC:
Wedding
Indoor wedding ceremonies will be allowed from July 1, 2021, with a maximum gathering of 200 vaccinated people. The marriage hall administration will check the Covid-19 vaccination certificate of guests. Outdoor weddings are allowed with 400 people.
Indoor Dining
Indoor dining has been allowed at hotels and restaurants with 50 percent of the capacity. Vaccination certificate declared mandatory for indoor dining. The Forum directed that the hotel and restaurant management should devise a plan to check vaccination certificates of individuals entering their premises.
Business Hours
Business hours have been extended till 10pm whereas essential businesses including petrol pumps, medical stores etc would be allowed to open 24/7.
Cinemas
Opening of cinemas has been allowed with SOPs. Only vaccinated people would be allowed to enter cinemas with strict Covid-19 standard operating procedures (SOPs) and safety protocols. 50 percent of the full capacity filmgoers will be allowed.
Gyms
There was also a ban on contact sports activities particularly wrestling, boxing martial arts etc, the forum decided. However, vaccinated persons were permitted indoor gym facilities.
Public Transport
Public transport will be allowed to operate with 70pc capacity.
Wearing face masks, social distancing, smart lockdowns will continue.