ISLAMABAD: The National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC) on Monday discussed a new set of non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPIs) to contain the spike in coronavirus cases in the country. It was decided that the new NPIs would be implemented by all the provinces in the next 48 hours after consultations with all the stakeholders. The NCOC meeting, chaired by Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Asad Umar, reviewed the epidemic curve chart data and national vaccine strategy. The global and regional trends of the Omicron variant were discussed.

The meeting was attended by National Coordinator Major General Muhammad Zafar Iqbal, while Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Health Dr Faisal Sultan joined through a video link.

The provincial health and education ministers, who attended the meeting virtually, told the meeting about the steps being taken for the implementation of NPIs, and Covid-19 standard operating procedures (SOPs).

The meeting was informed that a massive sample testing was being carried out in the educational institutions and any decision about them would be taken in view of its data.