Corona attacks more intensely than before, cases quadrupled: PM

He was addressing the press after a meeting of the National Coordination Committee (NCC). the prime minister said that a four percent increase was seen in COVID-19 cases in the past 10 days. "COVID-19 is rapidly spreading across the country and no gathering of more than 300 people will be allowed and people should wear the masks," he added.

He announced a ban on holding rallies across the country amid rise in the number of coronavirus cases during the second wave. He said that his party has postponed the Saturday’s scheduled public rally in Rashakai, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and asked other political parties to postpone their rallies.

He said that the PTI will not hold rallies, and the opposition will also be asked not to. The Gilgit-Baltistan chief minister has said that there was a significant rise in coronavirus cases after recent rallies by political parties, the prime minister said.

He asked people to take precautionary measures, wear masks, and practice social distancing, especially at big gatherings.

"Indoor weddings will not be allowed. Restaurants, factories and mosques will not be closed. The prime minister said that mosques should practice SOPs, the same way that they did before."

He said that the schools are not being closed but the situation will be monitored for a week. If a decision is made to close schools, authorities will extend the winter vacations and compensate with shorter summer vacations.