NCOC COVID SOPs; Banquet owners reject indoor wedding ban

The Banquet owners on Tuesday have rejected the government’s ban on indoor weddings saying COVID-19 SOPs are being followed so there is no justification for the closure.

In its last notification, National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC) has put ban on indoor weddings starting November 20 till January 31, while permitting outdoor functions to up to 1,000 guests, following the SOPs.

Talking to a news outlet, Karachi Banquet Hall Association president Shariq MemonShariq said masks and sanitizers are arranged at the main entrances of wedding halls, and all SOPs are also enforced, yet the government has decided to close the wedding halls. There is no justification for the closure.

“We [the association] are ready to follow SOPs more strictly to curb the spread of coronavirus, but the government should reconsider its decision”, he further added.

Meanwhile, in Punjab, the provincial government has formed a team under the leadership of health minister Dr. Yasmin Rashid and tasked it to provide recommendations over alternate options to NCOC’s indoor wedding ban in the next 24 hours.

As beign reported the latest recommendations will be presented before the NCOC in the next meeting.