Shafqat Mehmood, educational ministers to take important decision on schools today

ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Education Shafqat Mehmood and other provincial educational ministers will take part in a meeting to take important decisions on schools closures and other educational institutions.

The meeting will be held at the National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC) where health officials will also be present.

The meeting comes at a time when the positivity ratio of the coronavirus in the country has exceeded 8% in the last few days and continues to be on the rise. According to the NCOC data, the number of active cases was 17,352 on March 6 which reached 34,535 on Tuesday.

The minister had taken to Twitter a few days ago and had written: “All education/health ministers will meet Wednesday, March 24, at the NCOC to take a decision regarding opening or further closure of educational institutions,” the minister wrote.

“The health of students, teachers, [and staff is of] primary consideration.”

The third coronavirus wave is serious; requires careful review. All education/health ministers will meet Wednesday March 24 at the NCOC to take a decision regarding opening or further closure of educational institutions. Health of students, teachers/staff primary consideration

— Shafqat Mahmood (@Shafqat_Mahmood) March 21, 2021

Curbs on business, public transport

In view of a surge in coronavirus cases in the country, the NCOC on Monday issued renewed standard operating procedures (SOPs) to contain the virus, saying that these would be implemented with immediate effect.

As per the new guidelines, all businesses will only be allowed to operate five days a week, while all commercial activities will be closed by 8:00pm in areas with a positivity ratio greater than 8%.

The forum expressed grave concern over the current COVID-19 situation in the country and unanimously agreed to implement some high impact interventions in cities and districts with a high positivity ratio.