RECORDER REPORT

ISLAMABAD: The National Assembly Secretariat has reportedly been closed for four days owing to disinfection of the Parliament House building in Islamabad as District Administration of federal capital has decided to close three localities of federal capital consequent to rapid increase in Covid-19 cases.

The media reported while referring to a notification that NA secretariat would remain closed from March 13 to March 16. The heads of respective departments shall call minimum essential staff from March 17 until further orders. The order stated that the employees working from home should remain vigilant as they may be called on a one-hour basis in case of an emergency. Those employees who have tested positive for the virus would have to send their reports to the Establishment Branch.

The National Assembly Secretariat also issues some essential SOPs that are required to be followed by all the staff and these SOPs include: (i) wear face masks at all times; (ii) don’t shake hands; (iii) maintaining social distance.

According to media reports three sub-sectors of federal capital – I-8/4, F-11 and I-10.2 – were closed by district administration due to spread of corona cases in the third wave of pandemic.

The administration has also decided to completely shut the business activities in the federal capital on Friday, Saturday and Sunday and no indoor activities would be allowed.

The National Command and Operation Centre (NOOC) has reported 2664 new cases of coronavirus in the country during the last 24 hours and 32 deaths with total cases of 47,710 in ICT, 185,464 in Punjab, 261,179 in Sindh, 75,725 in KP, 19,206 in Balochistan, 10,952 in AJK and 4960 in Gilgit-Baltistan.

According to NCOC data, 13,508 people have died from Covid-19 in the country so far, while currently 1805 patients are in critical condition. Confirmed cases in the country stands at 605,200 and recovered 570,751.

As many as 40,564 tests were conducted during the last 24 hours.