ISLAMABAD: Markets, shopping malls and wedding halls across Pakistan will be closed by 10:00 pm and wearing masks has been made mandatory from tomorrow (Thursday).
The National Command and Operations Centre (NCOC) issued a new set of instructions, fearing a second wave of the novel COVID-19. The COVID-19 positivity rate and the number of deaths due to the virus have increased in the country.
The NCOC has directed restaurants to close by 10 pm whereas public parks and recreational places will not be allowed to remain open after 6 pm.
The apex body tasked to combat COVID-19 further said that wearing masks has been made mandatory for people across the country from tomorrow.
The NCOC said that authorities will ensure the implementation of smart lockdowns across areas identified as COVID-19 hotspots.
Medical stores, clinics and hospitals will not be bound to obey the above-stated rules as they provide essential services. Earlier today, the NCOC made it mandatory to wear face masks in crowded public places.
The national body has made it mandatory to wear face masks in public places including bazaars, shopping malls, restaurants and while using public transport. In addition, face masks must be worn in all government and private sector offices.
The center noted that the spread of the virus and the increased positivity ratio is 80 percent in 11 major cities of Pakistan.
The meeting was informed that 4,374 lockdowns have been imposed in eleven cities including Karachi, Quetta, Lahore, Rawalpindi, Multan, Peshawar, Islamabad, Hyderabad, Mirpur, Gilgit and Muzaffarabad.
The provinces have been directed by the NCOC for adopting strict measures for ensuring the usage of face masks by its citizens in view of the rising cases of coronavirus pandemic.
