ISLAMABAD: As the fifth wave of coronavirus continues to spread unabated, the National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC) decided on Saturday to apply new standard operating procedures (SOPs) for mosques. According to the NCOC, which is at the heart of the government’s unified pandemic strategy, the number of patients hospitalised to hospitals has surpassed 1,000, with the nationwide count of active cases reaching over 62,000, the highest level since September 26, 2021.
The NCOC suggested new standards for places of worship and educational institutions in Covid hotspots on Friday. The revised rules were issued as the number of new cases in a single day surpassed 7,000 for the first time during the pandemic. According to a statement released here on Saturday, the NCOC assessed the present situation in the country and agreed to execute a set of protocols to halt the virus’ spread. Only vaccinated people would be permitted inside mosques and other houses of worship, according to the statement.
In addition, the entrants would be required to wear masks and keep a social distance of six feet, as well as frequent hand sanitization, according to the announcement. The forum recommended that carpets should be removed and that just a small number of people attend the prayers. It was suggested that prayers should be held in open places, with the prayer hall’s doors and windows kept open. “Preferably say prayers at home,” it urged the elderly and those with co-morbidities. It suggests that ablutions be performed at home and that Friday sermons should be kept short.
On Friday, the NCOC declared that all schools in areas with a high positive ratio will be closed for a week. It did, however, give provincial governments, district health and education authorities, and school administrations the authority to define the case thresholds for choosing whether or not to close schools. For the next two weeks, the forum has resolved to perform rigorous testing at educational institutions, particularly in cities with high disease prevalence. “Federating units will conduct special vaccination drives in schools to guarantee that all kids over the age of 12 are fully vaccinated,” it stated.
The announcement came as the number of critically ill patients in hospitals increased to 1,055, up from 961 the day before. According to the NCOC’s daily disease update. The number of current cases has also increased to 62,344, according to the report. According to the forum, 6,540 more people tested positive for the infectious sickness in the last 24 hours, while 12 people died as a result of the fatal infection. The national positivity ratio maintained at 11.10 percent over the past 24 hours, down from 12.93 percent the day before.
Vaccine figures were also released by the forum, revealing that 758,982 shots were administered across the country in the previous 24 hours. Pakistan has vaccinated 171,470,850 people so far, accounting for 35 percent of the entire population and 52 percent of those who are eligible. Pakistan is now dealing with the pandemic’s fifth wave. The extremely contagious Omicron variant has forced the government to set new restrictions in an attempt to stop it from spreading. People have been encouraged by the authorities to take precautions and get vaccinated.
