ISLAMABAD: Minister for Planning and Development Asad Umar has said the National Command and Operation Center (NCOC) has tightened restrictions on some high risk public activities in the face of increase in Coronavirus cases.

“The national Covid positivity ratio was high than three percent yesterday after more than seventy days,” he said in a tweet.

The minister said the rising spread of the disease can only be controlled if people believeed in the need for precautions.

The NCOC has recommended to close markets, shops, shopping malls, marriage lawns and restaurants by 10:00 pm. While, recreational places and public parks should be closed by 6 in the evening. Only medical stores, clinics and hospitals could remain open 24/7.

The NCOC has announced that wearing facemask would be mandatory across the country. It asked implementation of the life-saving SoPs at hospitals.

The National Command and Operation Center has directed the provinces to ensure compliance of wearing of face masks and other SOPs against Covid-19 particularly in bazaars, shopping malls, public transport and restaurants.

The NCOC forum decided that wearing of face mask was mandatory both in government and private offices.

The meeting was briefed that the positivity ratio of Coronavirus cases had increased in eleven major cities of the country.

At present, four thousand three hundred and seventy-four smart lockdowns have been imposed across the country.