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Pandemic nerve centre says aggressive testing will be carried out in educational institutes for next two weeks
The National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC) has directed the provincial authorities to shut down educational institutions for at least one week in areas with high Covid-19 positivity rate.
The decision was taken after NCOC – which serves as the nerve centre of the country’s anti-Covid strategy – in a statement on Friday said Covid testing in educational institutions was carried out in major Omicron-hit cities to ascertain disease spread among students and ensure accurate disease mapping.
“Data suggests a strong correlation between vaccination levels and infection rate in various cities,” it added.
It has therefore been decided that aggressive coronavirus testing will be carried out in schools and other educational institutes for next two weeks especially in high disease prevalence cities.
“Education institutions / premises / sections / specific classes with high positivity to be closed for one week,” read the official communiqué.
Also read: NCOC issues fresh SOPs for mosques to contain Covid resurgence
The nerve centre for pandemic response further said that provincial administration in consultation with district health officials and education authorities and school administrations will set a threshold of cases for deciding closures.
“Federating units to carry out special vaccination drives in schools to ensure 100% vaccination of students over 12 years of age,” it added.
On Wednesday, the NCOC announced a set of new restrictions in cities with an over 10% Covid-19 positivity ratio.
The meeting had decided to impose a complete ban on all types of indoor gatherings, including dine-in and wedding, and all types of contact sports in the districts and cities where the Covid-19 positivity rate exceeded 10%.
In the Covid hotspots, outdoor weddings have been restricted to 300 fully vaccinated individuals, while outdoor dining and takeaway will be allowed. Education activities have also been limited in the virus hotspots, according to the NCOC.
“Schools with students under 12 years of age will have 50% attendance with three days per week schedule, whereas schools with students over 12 years of age will have 100% attendance,” the NCOC said, adding that vaccination was mandatory for all students above 12.
Fresh SOPs for mosques
Earlier today, the National Command and Operation Centre also issued fresh standard operating procedures (SOPs) for mosques and worship places across the country.
Under the SOPs issued on Friday, only vaccinated individuals are allowed to offer prayer in mosques or worship places while wearing face masks has been declared mandatory.
The worshippers will be required to maintain a social distancing of at least six feet and mosques have been asked to remove mats and carpets from their premises.
The NCOC has also advised elderly and comorbid persons to prefer offering prayer at home and maintain minimal attendance for the prayer.
The SOPs also recommended use of hand sanitiser frequently and organising prayer in open spaces or ensure proper ventilation to contain the spread of the contagious disease.
It also asked the mosque-goers to prefer performing ablution at home and recommended short sermons for Friday prayer.