Lahore: Punjab Health Minister Dr Yasmin Rashid said on Monday that a decision regarding closure of schools in the province would be taken by the country’s apex body COVID, the National Command and Operations Center (NCOC), today.
talking to geo newsYasmin said, “We have vaccinated 80% of the students in schools and colleges” and urged the public to follow the COVID-19 SOPs as the new version is spreading rapidly.
“We don’t want educational institutions to close. Education has already suffered a lot,” she said, echoing the provincial education minister, who had earlier said that schools would be the last in the line to close.
When asked to comment on the seventh edition of the Pakistan Super League (PSL), Dr Yasmin Rashid said that the NCOC has to decide on the audience in the league.
The NCOC had allowed full stadiums for the PSL 2022 starting January 27, but the decision is expected to be reviewed in the light of the high positivity ratio, especially in Karachi, where the first match will be played.
PMA urged to curb
Pakistan Medical Association (PMA) general secretary Dr Kaiser Sajjad said that the cases of omicron are increasing in the country and urged the government to strictly impose restrictions and ensure implementation of SOPs.
The PMA official said, “The rate of positive cases is increasing in Karachi, which can add to the pressure on hospitals at any point of time.
“We didn’t strictly enforce restrictions in the last four waves, but now we have to.”
Kaiser Sajjad advised closure of wedding halls, restaurants and large gatherings.