ISLAMABAD: The National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC) on Wednesday decided to relax restrictions in eight cities after they achieved the target of vaccinating 40pc of their population. However, not a single city of Sindh is among them.

Speaking at a press conference, Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Asad Umar said the NCOC had observed the situation in different cities, and since the restrictions were to remain in effect till Sept 30, it was decided not to extend them further.

“We used to tighten or reduce restrictions in targeted cities or areas, but since vaccine is the only solution against the pandemic and a number of countries have lifted curbs after inoculating a large number of their population, we decided that from Oct 1, new restrictions will be based on vaccination ratio in cities, the minister said.

“We had given targets to 24 cities to vaccinate 40pc of their population by the end of September. There are eight cities which have either achieved the targets or reached close, therefore we have decided to relax restrictions there,” Mr Umar said.

He said the cities were Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Quetta, Peshawar, Mirpur, Muzaffarabad, Gilgit and Skardu.

New restrictions to be based on vaccination ratio in cities, minister says

While sharing details of relaxations in the eight cities, Asad Umar said from Oct 1, a number of participants for indoor gatherings would be increased from 200 to 300, adding that attendees of outdoor gatherings have been increased from 400 to 1,000.

“Similarly, shrines in these eight cities have been opened to vaccinated people while cinema halls and indoor dining has been allowed for vaccinated people throughout the week. In other cities, restaurants have to close dining once a week. Wedding ceremonies will also be held throughout the week in these eight cities,” he said.

Asad Umar, who also heads the NCOC, said restrictions on providing edible items or food during domestic flights would be removed from Oct 1 because only fully vaccinated people over the age of 18 and partially vaccinated in the age group of 15 to 18 years would be permitted to travel. After Oct 31, those in the age bracket of 15 to 18 years would have to be fully vaccinated.

“So far 80 million doses have been administered, out of which 36 million people are partially and 27 million completely vaccinated. The number of people who have got at least one dose is 58 million. We have set a target to vaccinate 70 million people by the end of the year and it will be achieved soon,” he said.

Meanwhile, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Health Dr Faisal Sultan said the strategy to fight Covid-19 had changed with the passage of time.

“Earlier we were focusing on restrictions but now, as vaccine has become available, we are focusing on vaccination. So far 12pc people have been completely vaccinated and 20pc of vaccine eligible population (over 15 years) has been immunised. We want to protect the entire population,” he said.

“We have decided to vaccinate over 12-year-old children as they could become carriers of the virus. Pregnant women must be vaccinated because in case of infection they suffer more,” he said.

“As winter is arriving we need to vaccinate more people because in this season chances of new variants emerging increase. I also stress that people should ensure that their children get polio drops. As dengue season is also at its peak, they should not let stagnant water accumulate near or in their houses,” he said.

The data of NCOC showed that 1,560 people were infected with and 52 succumbed to virus in a single day. The number of active cases was 48,506 as of Sept 29 and 4,154 patients were admitted in hospitals across the country.

Meanwhile, three more deaths of Covid-19 patients were reported in capital on Wednesday along with 70 new cases of the virus.

Officials of the capital administration said deaths of two During the last 24 hours 4,305 tests were conducted which found the virus in 41 men and 29 women and the positivity rate was 1.62pc.

On Wednesday the capital had 2,158 active cases, they said.

Rawalpindi

Covid-19 positivity rate fell from 4.11pc to 3.28pc in Rawalpindi district as 39 people got infected with the virus on Wednesday. However, no death was reported in the district during the last three days

A total of 105 patients have been in the city hospitals, with eight in Holy Family Hospital, 48 in Benazir Bhutto Hospital, 31 in Rawalpindi Institute of Urology, 16 patients in Fauji Foundation Hospital and one patient each was under treatment in Bilal Hospital and Akhtar Rukhsana Memorial Welfare Trust Hospital.

Seven patients were on ventilator, 33 required oxygen and 65 are stable.

Published in Dawn, September 30th, 2021