National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC) head Asad Umar has announced that the decision was taken to increase restrictions of activities contributing to the sharp spike in COVID-19 cases.

Asad Umar said in a Twitter message that it has been decided to increase restrictions of activities in the NCOC meeting today.

He added that the provincial and Islamabad administrations have been directed to tighten implementation of the standard operating procedures (SOPs) and crack down on violations that are taking place.

The positivity rate of coronavirus cases in Lahore has reached 12 per cent, Punjab Health Minister Dr Yasmin Rashid confirmed earlier in the day.

The masses should strictly follow the standard operating procedures (SOPs) designed to contain the spread of the COVID-19 as the number of COVID-19 cases is rapidly increasing in Punjab, the minister warned.

Showing stratification over the arrangements made at Lahore and hospitals of other cities of the province, the health minister said that soon the COVID vaccine would be provided to the private hospitals.