ISLAMABAD   -  The National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC) on Monday said that the ban on tourism, already imposed countrywide to contain the spread of Covid-19, will continue till next decision.

According to a statement issued by the forum, the NCOC will issue necessary instructions accordingly on the issue.

The NCOC made the announcement in the wake of some media reports that tourists had started visiting some tourist areas during the summer season at a time when schools are closed and 50 percent attendance in offices is being observed to contain the virus.

At the same time, the government has eased down some restrictions imposed during the Eid holidays and public transport has been resumed since weekend while markets have been re-opened but with restrictions of daily timings.

According to fresh statistics issued by the NCOC, the country reported 74 more deaths due to coronavirus infections and 3,232 new positive cases were recorded during the last 24 hours. 

As many 36,725 tests were conducted during the same period of time while positivity ratio remained 8.80 percent. 

The death toll due to pandemic in the country has now reached 19,617.

During last 24 hours, most death occurred in Punjab followed by Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP). 

Out of 74 deaths, 36 patients died on ventilators, 63 died in hospitals and 11 out of hospital.  As of 17 May, total active Covid-19 cases in Pakistan are 68,223.  

There is no patient on vent in Balochistan, Azad Jammu & Kashmir (AJK) and Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) and 584 vents are occupied across Pakistan.