Shafqat Mahmood orders schools to resume 5-day classes

ISLAMABAD: Federal Education Minister Shafqat Mahmood announced that all schools would resume regular 5-day classes from March 1.

Taking to Twitter on Thursday, Shafqat Mahmood said that restrictions imposed in some major cities on schools to conduct staggered classes were applicable only till Feb 28.

“This announcement applies to every educational institutions in the designated cities where restrictions had been imposed. Allah SWTs infinite mercy that we are returning to normal,” he said.

This came a day after the National Command and Operation Center (NCOC) on Wednesday announced lifting of remaining Coronavirus restrictions amid a gradual decline in new cases in Pakistan.

It also withdraw condition of 50 percent work from home in all government institutions and lifted time-limit from commercial activities and amusement parks.

The decisions, in that regards, were taken after comprehensive review of existing Non-Pharmaceutical Interventions (NPIs) in NCOC meeting held here Wednesday.

The decisions can be reviewed in view of increased disease prevalence, whenever deemed necessary, according to the NCOC.

It, however, allowed provinces to enforce its targeted NPIs where required depending upon disease prevalence in a given area or sector. It was furthered that indoor wedding ceremonies will be allowed from 15th March 2021 with stringent COVID SOPs.

The Indoor dining has been allowed from 15th March subject to the review on 10th March, the forum added.