PESHAWAR: The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government has banned all indoor and outdoor gatherings across the province by imposing section 144, as the coronavirus cases skyrocket.

“All sorts of indoor and outdoor events, gatherings, sports tournaments, cultural activities, social activities, and religious processions have been banned,” read a notification issued by the KP Home and Tribal Affairs Department.

Special Assistant to Chief Minister KP for Higher Education and Information Kamran Bangash said that the third wave of coronavirus was spreading fast. He said taraweeh and other religious activities would continue under the COVID SOPs during Ramadan, however strict measures would be taken before Ramadan to contain the virus.

“Ban has been placed on gatherings at wedding halls, while educational institutes will be shut down in the districts with 5 percent or more positivity ratio,” he said.

The provincial government directed the citizens to wear masks at public places, otherwise the one who violated the order would be punished.

The government also launched a crackdown on hotels, shops and wedding halls. 12 marriage lawns and 22 restaurants were sealed for violating the COVID SOPs.