PESHAWAR: Federal Minister for Education Shafqat Mahmood has announced reopening of educational institutions in 18 districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and Punjab from 16 September.
This morning Asad Umar, Federal Minister and head of the National Command and Operation Center (NCOC) [Federal committee on Covid-19], said that the fourth wave of the coronavirus is on decline therefore restrictions in 18 districts have been relaxed. But in six other districts, the minister said, the restrictions have been extended until September 30.
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Addressing a news conference, he said, “Improvements have been noticed in 18 districts therefore, restrictions are being eased while it will intact in Lahore, Faisalabad, Multan, and Sargodha in Punjab and Bannu in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
According to the NCOC, educational institutions across the country will be opened from September 16, with 50 per cent attendance and alternate day classes. According to a notification issued by the NCOC, markets across the country will remain open till 10 pm except for corona-spreading districts, while indoor and outdoor dining will be allowed till 12 pm but only for vaccinated people.
The minister hoped that during the media briefing that the number of coronavirus case will further decline in the next two weeks. The Federal Minister said that restrictions on citizens who do not get vaccinated will be gradually increased as they will endanger others’ lives.
Explaining the details of ban on non-vaccinated citizens, he said that air travel will be banned, entry of both shopkeepers and customers in shopping malls will be banned, bookings in hotels and guest houses and wedding halls will be banned. He said that all non-vaccinated teaching and staff in educational institutions will not be able to continue their work after September 30. The head of NCOC added that 52% of the population in Islamabad, a city of 2 million, has been fully vaccinated.