New restrictions across Pakistan as COVID-19 positivity rate continues to rise

Policemen seal a street at a residential area in Lahore on June 17, 2020 after the COVID-19 cases continue to rise. (AFP/File)

• Hospital admissions on the rise, Punjab province contributing 55% to COVID-19 mortality rate, government says
• Schools closed for two weeks from today, decision reversed to allow large indoor gatherings like cinemas, marriage halls

ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan government’s central body dealing with the coronavirus pandemic, the National Command and Operation Center (NCOC), on Monday raised alarm over rising coronavirus cases, saying the country’s most populous Punjab province was contributing over fifty percent to the COVID-19 mortality rate.
Authorities had opened up almost all of sectors of society in previous months but last week reversed a decision to allow large indoor gatherings like cinemas, theaters and marriage halls. Schools will also be closed again for two weeks from March 15, today.
As of Monday, 2,253 people have tested positive for COVID-19 in Pakistan, with 29 deaths reported in the past 24 hours, taking the total death count to 13,537 since February last year, according to the health ministry.
“Concern was shown on rising national positivity,” the NCOC said in a statement. “Moreover, hospital admissions are also on the rise. Punjab is contributing 55% of National Mortality … Provincial Administrations are advised to take strict administrative actions on violators of SOPs [standard operating procedures].”
On Saturday, the NCOC said the national positivity ratio was hovering at around six percent, calling it a “matter of serious concern.”
The Pakistani capital, Islamabad, and Punjab imposed partial lockdowns on Sunday to stop the spread of the coronavirus as the head of the NCOC, planning minister Asad Umar, said there was “no doubt” Pakistan was facing a third wave of the coronavirus.
“More areas are expected to be locked down. New UK variant strain is prevalent in Islamabad,” Islamabad Deputy Commissioner Muhammed Hamza Shafqaat said in a series of tweets, just hours before he announced him and his family had also tested positive for the coronavirus.
The Sindh government on Monday also imposed new restrictions in the province till April 15. These include that all businesses except pharmacies, clinics, petrol pumps, grocery stores and restaurants, would close by 10pm; amusement parks would close by 6pm; only 50% staff would be allowed at public and private sector offices; and no indoor weddings or dining at restaurants would be allowed.