KARACHI (Web Desk): Primary and middle schools have reopened along with universities in second phase on Monday under the Covid-19 standard operating procedures (SOPs) after 67 days.
According to the School Education Department and the Higher Education Commission (HEC), students will take classes on alternative days to cover smart curriculum. Some universities will conduct online examinations while others will take on-campus exams.
It is pertinent here to mention that matric and intermediate classes had resumed in first phase on January 18. The educational institutions across the country were closed for the second time on November 26, 2020 after staying open for almost two and a half months.
On the other hand, the Punjab government introduced new coronavirus SOPs after improvement in the situation and decided to lift the ban imposed on the food points and restaurants to close at 10pm.
Secretary Primary and Secondary Health Care Captain (Retd) Muhammad Usman issued a notification stating that 50% employees of all government and private institutions will work from home.
Restaurants, hotels and all kinds of food points will be able to arrange food and drinks only in open spaces. Meal seating can be arranged outside in the open area while maintaining social distance according to the coronavirus SOPs.
All parks and recreational areas will be closed at 6 p.m. Arrangements for weddings and other celebrations can also be made only in open spaces. Any event can be arranged for up to 300 people in open spaces following SOPs, said notification. According to the notification, any kind of crowded event inside the halls will be completely banned. Strict legal action will be taken against institutions and food points violating the guidelines. Indoor eating has been banned at food points to prevent the spread of coronavirus.