ISLAMABAD: The National Command and Operation Center (NCOC) has warned of potential spike in Coronavirus cases if health guidelines and code of conduct for Muharram-ul-Haram processions are not followed.   

A review meeting of the forum was held in Islamabad Monday on with Minister for Planning and Development Asad Umar in the chair. The forum deliberated at length on upcoming Muharram-ul Haram processions and measures to ensure public health and safety.

Speaking on the occasion, the planning minister said as we have opened various sectors particularly tourism, there was need to trace, track and test those people who were linked with various sectors.

Also Read: Cinemas, parlors, Gyms opened across the country from today

Minister for Religious Affairs Noorul Haq Qadri briefed the forum that assistance was being sought from Ulema for formulating comprehensive protocols and health guidelines during Muharram procession.

The provinces apprised the NCOC plan of action to meet challenges post opening up various sectors.

According to the latest statistics, there are now 17,799 active cases in Pakistan. 539 new cases were reported over the last twenty-four hours and 15 deaths were reported during this period.

While, the number of coronavirus cases across the world has crossed twenty million while the pandemic has claimed more than 734,000 lives so far.    

More than 12.9 million patients have recovered from the disease across the world.

The United States is the worse hit, where cases have mounted over five point one million and death toll reached over 165,000.     

In Brazil, over three million cases have been reported, while death toll reached over 101,000.

In India, over 44,000 people lost their lives, while, more than two point two million cases have been reported.