A man wearing a face mask is seen at a market in Islamabad, Pakistan, Jan. 19, 2022. As Pakistan witnessed a sudden rise in the number of new COVID-19 cases over the past days, the country's experts and officials believe that strict implementation of the standard operating procedures (SOPs) and robust vaccination campaign will help rein in the fifth wave pandemic driven by the Omicron variant. (Xinhua/Ahmad Kamal)
by Raheela Nazir
ISLAMABAD, Jan. 20 (Xinhua) -- As Pakistan witnessed a sudden rise in the number of new COVID-19 cases over the past days, the country's experts and officials believe that strict implementation of the standard operating procedures (SOPs) and robust vaccination campaign will help rein in the fifth wave pandemic driven by the Omicron variant.
Pakistan recorded the second-highest daily case count on Wednesday since the pandemic started in the country in 2020, with 6,808 new infections and positivity rate jumping to 11.55 percent, according to the National Command and Operation Center (NCOC) on Thursday.
Terming the pandemic "a crisis of the century," Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan said on Wednesday that his government will not shut down the economy, but will advise people to strictly observe mandated SOPs formed to prevent and control COVID-19, stressing that the authorities would face off the battle against the virus by adopting enhanced targeted measures.
As part of the new curbs meant to tackle the recent rising infections, the NCOC, Pakistan's top body overseeing the pandemic response, announced a set of new restrictions for cities with a positivity rate exceeding 10 percent.
According to the fresh guidelines issued by the NCOC on Wednesday, all types of indoor gatherings, dining and weddings have been banned while outdoor gatherings are allowed with a maximum limit of 300 individuals.
Similarly, indoor activities would be allowed at 50 percent capacity in gyms, cinemas, shrines and amusement parks.
Regarding educational institutes, the NCOC said the activities will continue with "staggered attendance" at 50 percent capacity for students under 12 years and 100 percent attendance for over 12 years in districts with positivity rate over 10 percent, where vaccination will be mandatory for those above 12 years from Feb. 1.
The country also lowered the crowd capacity for the much-awaited Pakistan Super League 2022 cricket matches scheduled to be held from Jan. 27 to Feb. 7.
"Spectators are the essence of any sport event and in this background, we now hope to set the stage with 25 percent crowds to attend the Karachi matches," the Pakistan Cricket Board said in a statement on Wednesday, stressing that the health and safety of cricket fans is the priority.
Najma Khan, an Islamabad-based public health expert, told Xinhua that there is a significant upsurge in the number of hospitalizations across the country recently as the new COVID-19 variant is spreading at a fast pace.
"People need to be extra vigilant now more than ever. New cases and admission to intensive care units have increased many fold recently," she said, adding that Pakistanis should strictly keep following basic safety measures of wearing masks and maintaining social distance.
The expert said vaccination is an effective remedy for the deadly virus as the influence of the new variant is quite suppressed in people who are fully vaccinated or have received booster jabs. ■
A woman wearing a face mask visits a stall at a market in Islamabad, Pakistan, Jan. 19, 2022. As Pakistan witnessed a sudden rise in the number of new COVID-19 cases over the past days, the country's experts and officials believe that strict implementation of the standard operating procedures (SOPs) and robust vaccination campaign will help rein in the fifth wave pandemic driven by the Omicron variant. (Xinhua/Ahmad Kamal)
Women wearing face masks visit a stall at a market in Islamabad, Pakistan, Jan. 19, 2022. As Pakistan witnessed a sudden rise in the number of new COVID-19 cases over the past days, the country's experts and officials believe that strict implementation of the standard operating procedures (SOPs) and robust vaccination campaign will help rein in the fifth wave pandemic driven by the Omicron variant. (Xinhua/Ahmad Kamal)
A sign of "no mask no entry" is seen at a shop in Islamabad, Pakistan, Jan. 19, 2022. As Pakistan witnessed a sudden rise in the number of new COVID-19 cases over the past days, the country's experts and officials believe that strict implementation of the standard operating procedures (SOPs) and robust vaccination campaign will help rein in the fifth wave pandemic driven by the Omicron variant. (Xinhua/Ahmad Kamal)
A sign of "no mask no entry" is seen at a shop in Islamabad, Pakistan, Jan. 19, 2022. As Pakistan witnessed a sudden rise in the number of new COVID-19 cases over the past days, the country's experts and officials believe that strict implementation of the standard operating procedures (SOPs) and robust vaccination campaign will help rein in the fifth wave pandemic driven by the Omicron variant. (Xinhua/Ahmad Kamal)
