pakistan 
On Wednesday, the National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC) announced new protective measures after going through the trend of COVID-19 positivity ratio in the country.
Pakistan saw a positivity ratio at 9.48% on Wednesday after 57,669 tests returned with 5,472 new cases.
The NCOC has tightened restrictions in cities with a positivity ratio of more than 10%.
The nerve centre of Pakistan’s pandemic response said that in educational institutions in cities with a higher infection rate than 10%, classes for students under 12 will not be held on a daily basis.
However, classes for fully-vaccinated students above 12 years are to be held daily.
“Aggressive testing in educational institutions will be carried out for smart closures in education institutes with high disease prevalence,” the NCOC said.
The NCOC session was chaired by Minister for Planning and Development Asad Umar.
Umar undertook a detailed review of the current COVID-19 situation in the country and possible Non-Pharmaceutical Interventions (NPIs).
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The forum agreed that indoor gatherings are to be allowed with a maximum limit of 300 fully vaccinated individuals. Meanwhile, outdoor gatherings are permitted with a maximum limit of 500 fully vaccinated individuals. The said guidelines will be brought into effect from January 24. Indoor and outdoor dining is allowed for fully vaccinated only, while takeaways will be allowed 24/7. Similarly, indoor gyms, shrines, amusement parks, cinemas, and sports are open for completely vaccinated individuals only.
As per the guidelines for the education sector, institutes with children under 12 years will remain open with strict COVID-19 protocols. Those with students above 12 years will also remain open with stringent COVID protocols.
Moreover, indoor gatherings are to be banned entirely, while outdoor gatherings are allowed with a maximum limit of 300 fully vaccinated individuals.
The NPIs for the wedding sector will remain in force from January 24 to February 15.
