Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) government has imposed coronavirus lockdown in Mirpur for a week starting today (Monday).

The move came days after the National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC) on Covid relaxed most of the restrictions on commercial activities, schools, offices and other workplaces, allowing them to function at full strength on Feb 24.

The step of the NCOC has been branded by medical experts as hasty one that according to them may lead to the third wave of a surge in coronavirus cases in the country.

According to the AJK government notification, all the educational institutions and public transport in Mirpur Azad Kashmir will remain closed for two weeks. Marriage halls and public gatherings have been banned for one month.

Medical stores, hospitals and petrol pumps will remain open in Mirpur Azad Kashmir, while meat, vegetable, fruit and other businesses will be open only on Tuesdays and Fridays.

Pakistan reported 1,392 new coronavirus cases in the past 24 hours (Sunday), the latest data from the National Command and Control (NCOC) shows. There were 36 more causalities related to the deadly disease as the death toll due to coronavirus has reached 12,896 that represents a ratio of 2.2%.

Azad Jammu and Kashmir has recorded 45 new cases during the last 24 hours taking the tally to 10,243 with 714 active cases. With 4new deaths reported, the death toll remains at 301. There were 33 new recoveries in the AJK as 9,228 patients have recovered so far from the virus.