Citizens asked to avoid unnecessary travelling during Christmas holidays.

ISLAMABAD -- The general public have been asked to only undertake minimal necessary travel during Christmas holidays and avoid family get togethers as the country has already been struck by second wave of COVID-19.

According to an official of the ministry of National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination, Christmas shopping should only be restricted to minimal essentials and crowding in markets is not advisable.

He said that under Corona guidelines, people have been asked that large scale home gatherings should be avoided amid Covid-19 second wave and encourage for outdoor Christmas celebration preferably day time event and strictly observing SOPs with assigned seating arrangements of one meter distance.

He said that every person should wear face or surgical mask and for indoor gatherings, opening windows and doors can ensure proper ventilation and help lower the risk while indoor gatherings should be avoided as poor ventilation pose the greatest risk.

He said that longer gatherings pose a greater risk than shorter gatherings so events must be kept shorter and guest list should be kept smaller and ensure there is enough room to enable guests from different households to stay at least one meter apart.

He asked the people to disinfect the venue place after the celebrations in community and display posters promoting hand-washing and maintaining good respiratory hygiene in community where celebration is done.

The official asked to ensure screening of all visitors by measuring body temperature at entry points of event in general public by dedicated persons besides availability of surgical and medical masks to offer anyone who develops respiratory symptoms.

Christmas trees must be regularly disinfected decorated in public...