-70 mln Vaccination target set until this year’s end
2Asad urges masses to get themselves vaccinated
-Says govt’s measures during third wave of the virus are proving effective
-Curbs to be eased starting from June 15th
-50% work from home policy, 2-day closure of inter-provincial transport lifted
By Uzma Zafar
ISLAMABAD: National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC) chief Asad Umar on Wednesday announced that 10 million doses of coronavirus vaccines have been administered in Pakistan so far.Addressing a brief press conference to mark the achievement, Umar said the government’s decisions to curb the virus were proving “effective” during the third wave of the pandemic.
“The more quickly we get ourselves vaccinated, the faster we will be able to rid ourselves of this menace,” he said, requesting people to get themselves vaccinated so that business could reopen and life could return to its normal state in Pakistan.Umar said the government as well as the masses had done a commendable job in following coronavirus SOPs, resulting in the number of cases dropping.
“We have seen that when Pakistanis, as a nation, decide to do something, then they do it,” he said.The federal minister said that while it was an impressive achievement, the government wanted to expedite the campaign and vaccinate 70 million people by the end of the year.The NCOC chief said Pakistan was vaccinating an estimated 300,000 people on a daily basis against the coronavirus, adding that more than 300,000 were registering for the vaccine on a daily basis.
Earlier, the minister had taken to Twitter to announce that Pakistan will cross the 1,00,00,000 doses mark today.Pakistan starts coronavirus vaccination for citizens over 18:
Pakistan has seen a rise in coronavirus vaccinations on a daily basis ever since June 3, when the country started vaccinating those who over the age of 18 years. Umar had encouraged the public to get themselves registered for vaccination at the earliest.
On May 16, Pakistan had opened registrations for citizens aged 19 and above for coronavirus vaccination. In a tweet, Umar had said registration will be open for the entire national population which is approved by health experts for the vaccine.
Umar had explained that the government was opening up registrations for more age groups as Pakistan’s vaccine supply continues to improve and the country’s vaccination capacity gets enhanced day by day.
On May 3, Pakistan opened registration for the vaccination of people aged between 40 to 49 years across the country and, subsequently, began walk-in vaccinations for people of the same age group.
A digital portal has been launched by the federal government for the registration through which a code is assigned to the person. They can then go to a designated vaccination centre and get a jab.
Rolling back of curbs:
The NCOC has also decided to roll back existing curbs starting June 15.
In this regard, all federating units have been asked to set aside one day for closure of activities, down from the previous two days of closure every week.
The 50% work from home policy will be relaxed to 100% work attendance.
Indoor gyms will now be allowed to partially reopen for vaccinated members only.
Only selective non contact sports will be permitted. A ban on contact sports (karate, boxing, MMA, rugby, kabbadi, wrestling, waterpolo) and festivals, cultural and other events will remain imposed.
Shrines will remain closed, as will cinemas. Inter-provincial transport, which was banned twice a week, will now be open on all days. Public transport will be allowed to have a 70% passenger occupancy, up from the previous 50% allowed.
“Current restrictions already announced by NCOC regarding recreation, education sector, mask-wearing SOP, and the Railways and inbound passengers policy will remain in place till further orders,” the statement added.
Meanwhile, Minister for Information and Broadcasting Chaudhary Fawad Hussain has said Wednesday that world recognizes the struggle waged by Pakistan against COVID-19.
He said in a tweet that Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan did not disappoint the nation even for a moment in this nerve-wracking fight against the pandemic.
