PESHAWAR: Following the National Command Operation Centre’s decision, the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government on Saturday notified the suspension of in-person learning for grades 9-12 in the districts with over five per cent coronavirus positivity rate until further orders.
The educational institutions had resumed in-person learning for those grades last Monday, while the classes for grades 1-8 remained suspended due to the rising coronavirus incidence.
The students attended classes in staggered manner for four days only.
According to the notification issued by the home department, which came into force immediately and will remain effective until further orders, all schools will be closed in districts with over five per cent Covid-19 positivity rate for in-person classes, including grades 9-l2.
It said the maximum emphasis would be given on online learning, while the relevant deputy commissioners would ensure compliance with the order by the people in the respective districts in consultation with the district health officers.
“All commercial activities, establishments and markets shall be closed by 6pm in the province until Sehari except medical stores, vaccination centres, tandoor, hotels and restaurants (for takeaway only), and filling stations. Section 144 will be imposed by district administration for strict implementation of the non-pharmaceutical interventions.”
Govt says markets to close by 6pm, indoor, outdoor dining restricted until further orders
The notification said all types of commercial activities and establishments and markets would be completely closed on Saturdays and Sundays, excluding pharmacies, vaccination centres, bakeries, grocery shops, excluding big malls selling grocery items, milk, meat and poultry shops, tyre puncture shops, fruit and vegetable shops, tandoor, hotels and restaurants for take away only), and filling stations.
It added that Section 144 would be imposed by the district administration for strict implementation of the non-pharmaceutical interventions.
“All types of indoor and outdoor gathering including cultural, musical and religious events shall remain banned, while indoor and outdoor dining in restaurants shall remain banned.
Only takeaway and home delivery will be allowed with strict Covid-19 SOP implementation,” it said.
According to the notification, all public and private offices would function from 9am to 2pm, while the use of face mask will be mandatory in public places.
The users of public transport vehicles will use face mask, while the intercity transport will operate at 50 per cent capacity.
“All public private offices and establishments shall strictly follow the policy of work from home for 50 per cent of their staff throughout the province. The district administrations will ensure its strict implementation. All cinemas and shrines shall remain closed throughout the province. All typos of sports, cultural and other activities and events shall remain banned throughout the province,” it said.
The notification said amusement parks would be closed throughout the province but walking and jogging tracks would remain open with the strict SOP enforcement.
It added that all indoor gyms would be closed, broader lockdown with stringent enforcement of protocols based on risk assessment would be ensured, and no mobility would be allowed except for emergencies.
“Stringent protocols for tourism already notified by the tourism department shall be implemented to curtail the mobility/influx of tourists, especially during Eid holidays. Also, taraveeh prayers will be organised in open spaces as far as possible and civil administration at every tier will engage ulemas and community leaders to ensure enforcement of Covid-19 SOPs during Ramazan.”
Our correspondent from Bajaur tribal district adds: The administration on Saturday made the use of face mask mandatory for visitors to bazaars and public places.
According to a statement issued by the DC office, the mask order was issued over a surge in Covid-19 cases in the region.
It said the administration had imposed Section 144 across the region to ensure the people’s strict compliance with the order for mask use.
The administration warned violators of the restriction of strict action.
It said Section 144 would remain effective for a month unless withdrawn or modified earlier.
The administration urged the residents to take the pandemic seriously and follow the government’s guidelines for the control and prevention of the virus.
Published in Dawn, April 25th, 2021
