Schools to be closed from March 15: NCOC

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New school timings announced in wake of health risks

ISLAMABAD: The National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC) has re-imposed a number of restrictions, including the closure of schools as coronavirus cases are rising in the country.

After the NCOC meeting here on Wednesday, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister Dr. Faisal Sultan said in a briefing that the rate of corona virus is increasing in the country and the pressure on our health system is increasing due to which some decisions have been taken.

He said that it has been decided to close public parks across the country at 6 pm while the decision of 50 per cent staff attendance in offices in Islamabad will also be implemented.

Dr. Faisal Sultan said that the decision to open cinema halls from March 15 has been withdrawn and eating inside hotels will also be banned while the decision to open shrines and weddings and other indoor events has also been withdrawn.

He said that smart lockdown should be implemented in proportion to the spread of the disease and the use of masks should be ensured permanently while all these decisions will be reviewed on April 12.

Speaking on the occasion, Education Minister Shafqat Mehmood said that there are some problems in Punjab, KP and Azad Kashmir so educational institutions in Faisalabad, Gujranwala, Lahore, Gujarat, Multan, Islamabad, Rawalpindi and Sialkot will be closed for 2 weeks from March 15.