Pakistan: Covid cases surge; schools to close in some cities

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Pakistan on Wednesday announced a raft of new measures due to rising cases of coronavirus in the country.

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The new restrictions include closing educational institutions in certain cities, and withdrawing permissions to resume indoor weddings, dine-in services, cinemas and shrines.

Shafqat Mahmood, Pakistan’s Minister for Federal Education and Professional Training, said around 50 million children were at risk following the surge in new Covid-19 cases over the past 10 days because they were attending classes physically.

Major cities of Punjab including Faisalabad, Gujranwala, Lahore, Gujrat, Multan, Sialkot, Rawalpindi and Islamabad recorded a rise in Covid cases, leading to the decision to close schools in these locations.

Schools in these cities will go on spring break for two weeks from March 15 to 28. However, other districts in the province will observe classes at 50 per cent capacity and observing Covid SOPs, including wearing of masks, washing of hands, and social distancing.

The minister clarified that the new restrictions don’t apply for examinations at all levels.

“We have agreed that the metric and intermediate level exams will be taken in June this year and further decision in that regard will be made later,” he added.

waheedabbas@khaleejtimes.com