ISLAMABAD, Pakistan: The Educational Institutions in the Federal Capital, Punjab’s 7 Cities, and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Capital Peshawar will remain closed from March 15 to 28, 2021 in the wake of a spike in COVID-19 Cases, as per the decision taken by the National Command and Operation Center (NCOC) in Islamabad on Wednesday.
The Federal Minister for Education and Professional Training Shafqat Mahmood presided over the important meeting at the NCOC to review the health situation and take decisions regarding the Educational Institutions.
The meeting was attended by the Prime Minister’s Special Assistant on Health Dr. Faisal Sultan, the Health & Education Ministers from all Four Provinces, Azad Jammu & Kashmir (AJK), and Gilgit-Baltistan (GB), and Senior Officials from the Concerned Departments.
لاہور، راولپندی، ملتان، گجرات، فیصل آباد، گوجرانوالہ،سیالکوٹ اور پشاور میں تمام تعلیمی ادارے دو ہفتے کے لئےموسم بہار کی تعطیلات کے لئے بند رہیں گے۔تمام تعلیمی اداروں میں سکولز، کالجز، یونورسٹیاں، اور مدارس شامل ہیں۔#NCOC اجلاس میں فیصلہ-وفاقی وزیر تعلیم @Shafqat_Mahmood pic.twitter.com/1JuW32ulcv
— Ministry of Federal Education/ProfessionalTraining (@EduMinistryPK) March 10, 2021
Briefing the media following the meeting, Shafqat Mahmood said that it was decided in the NCOC meeting that as a surge has been witnessed in Coronavirus Cases in the following Cities; therefore, all Education Institutions in Islamabad, Lahore, Rawalpindi, Multan, Gujranwala, Sialkot, Faisalabad, Gujrat, and Peshawar will remain closed from March 15 to March 28.
Shafqat Mahmood said that there is an improvement in the COVID-19 situation in Sindh and Balochistan. He said that in other parts of the Country, the educational activities will continue as per the routine practice of 50% attendance every day with strict observance of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
The minister said that the decision regarding Muzaffarabad will be taken by the AJK government.
Important meeting at the National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC) today to review the health situation and take decisions regarding educational institutions. Participated in by Ministers from all the provinces, AJK and GB. Following decisions arrived at. 1/2
— Shafqat Mahmood (@Shafqat_Mahmood) March 10, 2021
2/2 Educational Institutions in Sindh and Baluchistan would continue with 50% attendance every day. In Punjab spring break will start from Monday March 15 to March 28 in the following cities and all education institutions: Lahore, Rawalpindi, Gujranwala, Sialkot, Multan, 3/3
— Shafqat Mahmood (@Shafqat_Mahmood) March 10, 2021
3/3 Faisalabad and Gujrat. In Capital territory all educational institutions will also close from March 15. In KP they will close in Peshawar. Decision regarding Muzzafarabad will be taken by AJK Government. We will continue to review the situation
— Shafqat Mahmood (@Shafqat_Mahmood) March 10, 2021
All send ups and exams being currently conducted will continue under proper SOPs
— Shafqat Mahmood (@Shafqat_Mahmood) March 10, 2021
Dr. Faisal Sultan said that all the Federating Units are agreed on a 50 percent work policy.
The Special Assistant on Health said that it was also decided to shut all recreational places and parks after 06:00 pm and commercial activities at 10:00 pm while the ban on indoor service at restaurants has been extended to April 15.
However, he added that hotels and restaurants are allowed to use open spaces for dining. He also urged the people to use face masks.
