Airlift, a bus ride-hailing service has suspended all ts operations across Pakistan until April 6 in a bid to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus. The online ride-hailing service announced this in a notification sent to users. The decision was taken after rising coronavirus cases in the country. The notification sent out asked customers to avoid bus rides because they pose a high-risk environment.
Examinations will be rescheduled after June 1, according to the Federal Minister for Education Shafqat Mehmood. The decision was taken as Pakistan’s tally of confirmed coronavirus cases continues to rise. The minister said that the foreign institutions and domestic boards are bound to implement the government’s decisions and the examinations may be scheduled between June 1 and July 15, 2020 if the situation improves.
Cambridge Assessment International Education (CAIE) examinations scheduled to held in May/June have been postponed, Federal Education Minister Shafqat Mahmood tweeted Tuesday evening. He said Cambridge will announce the new dates for the exams and the decision to postpone O and A level was taken in a meeting where Ms Uzma Yousaf, head of Cambridge in Pakistan, was present.
The Sindh government has announced a partial lockdown across the province to contain the spread of the coronavirus. Shopping malls, restaurants, beaches and parks will remain closed for a period of 15 days from Wednesday. Intercity bus services will be suspended and government offices will be closed from Thursday. However, vegetable and grocery stores will remain open, according to the spokesperson. People will be able to order food from restaurants and eateries.
Prime Minister Imran Khan met religious scholar and cleric Maulana Tariq Jameel on Monday. They discussed the coronavirus outbreak in Pakistan. PM Khan urged the ulema and religious personalities to educate people about the virus. He also asked them to tell the public about precautionary measures. They did not shake hands during the meeting.
Secondary examinations of students across Sindh will commence from June 1, Education Minister Saeed Ghani said in a press conference on Monday. Students studying in grade nine and matriculation will sit for their exams on June 15. Intermediate students, both grade 11 and 12, will have their examinations from July 6. All papers will be held in the afternoon shift, the minister confirmed.
All people entering the Supreme Court will be screened for the coronavirus. As part of the court’s measures to prevent the spread of the virus, all employees have also been stopped from using biometric attendance machines. Chief Justice Gulzar Ahmed has issued safety guidelines in which he urged that all people entering the court must be screened by taking their temperature. Sanitisers have been installed across the court’s premises.
Saudi Arabia has allowed Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) to bring back passengers and Umrah pilgrims stranded in Saudi Arabia till March 17. The national carrier can send its aircraft to Jeddah and Madina only for the purpose of bringing back those stranded in Saudi Arabia. The spokesman of PIA, Abdullah Hafeez said PIA had been granted special permission by the Saudi authorities to operate its flights to Jeddah and Madina till March 17.
The Punjab government on Sunday imposed Section 144 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC), banning public gatherings in wake of a surge in novel coronavirus cases across the country. Section 144 of the CrPc allows the State to issue temporary orders in case of emergencies. The move was notified by Additional Chief Secretary Momin Agha.
Saudi Arabia has permitted special flights to take Pakistani Umrah pilgrims back home until March 19. These special flights could take Pakistani pilgrims from the Jeddah and Madina airports, according to the Saudi aviation authority. Ferry flights from Pakistan will be able to land at these two Saudi airports. Earlier, Saudi Arabia announced suspension of all flight operations froim Pakistan for two weeks.