ISLAMABAD: The National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC) on Monday moved up the capacity of spectators from 25 per cent to 100 per cent and permitted children under 12 to enter the stadium during the Pakistan Super League‘s (PSL) Lahore leg matches.
The NCOC had permitted the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to fill the stadium at full capacity during the Karachi leg and barred children under 12 from the stadium. The PCB received flak for banning children from watching cricket at the stadium.
Fifty per cent fully vaccinated spectators will be allowed till February 15 and from February 16, 100 per cent fully vaccinated fans will be allowed at the Gaddafi Stadium, the NCOC statement said.
The decision was revised during the forum’s meeting in Islamabad, with Federal Minister for Planning, Development, and Special Initiatives Asad Umar in the chair.
Days before the start of the PSL’s seventh edition, the NCOC had reduced the crowd capacity to 25 per cent in light of rising coronavirus cases. But now, as the positivity rate lowers, the forum has revised its decision.
The Lahore leg matches — which will be staged completely under the lights of the Gaddafi Stadium — will kick start on February 10, with the unbeaten Multan Sultans facing off against Peshawar Zalmi.
The NCOC has also decided to abolish the rapid antigen test (RAT) for inbound passengers at all airports across the country, with effect from February 8, the statement said.
However, the RAT will continue to be conducted for deportees from foreign countries and non-vaccinated individuals arriving from land border terminals, it added.
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