The National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC) has announced to ease Covid-19 restrictions in eight cities that have met the 40 per cent vaccination target set for Sept 31.

Addressing a press briefing, Planning Minister and NCOC head Asad Umar said the eight cities — Skardu and Gilgit (Gilgit-Baltistan), Muzaffarabad and Mirpur (Azad and Jammu Kashmir); Islamabad, Quetta, Peshawar and Rawalpindi — will see relaxation in some restrictions starting next month:

• 300 people to be allowed in indoor gatherings, instead of 200
• 1,000 people will be permitted in outdoor gatherings, instead of 400
• Shrines and other worship places to remain open for all vaccinated citizens
• Cinema halls to remain open for all vaccinated visitors
• Dine-in facility at restaurants will operate throughout the week, while other cities will practise one-day closure

The minister added that the remaining cities will continue to have restrictions till Oct 15. He said the government had set a target that 40pc of people aged 15 and above should be vaccinated with two doses by Sep 31, however, only eight cities could meet the target by the deadline.