New restrictions announced by Murad Raas in Lahore Schools

Cities with a positive ratio of more than 10% will face new restrictions, according to the NCOC.

The Punjab government announced the implementation of additional limitations in Lahore schools on Wednesday, in accordance with the National Command and Operation Centre's instructions (NCOC).

Punjab Education Minister Murad Raas declared that the new restrictions would be implemented in all of the city's private and public schools. He stated that classes 7 through 12 would continue on their current schedule and advised everyone to adhere to COVID SOPs. Whereas according to NCOC for fully-vaccinated students above 12 years, classes will be conducted daily.

He tweeted, “In all Public & Private Schools, classes up to Grade 6 will be staggered (50% students each day) starting tomorrow January 20th through January 31st, 2022,”

The NCOC stated in the new SOPs that federating units will designate a number of cases or an infection rate as a benchmark, which they will use to decide whether or not to close schools, in collaboration with health authorities.

According to the NCOC rules, starting February 1, at least one dose will be required for students aged 12 and above in Pakistan, with no exceptions except for medical reasons.

The NCOC further stated, "Aggressive sentinel testing in educational institutions would be conducted for targeted closures in high illness incidence education institutes."