Fresh SOPs issued for crew of direct flights from UK, South Africa They will only be allowed to travel to Pakistan if they hold a negative test certification conducted 72 hours prior to travel. Updated 23 Jan, 2021 09:47am
Macron offers subsidised meals to Covid-hit pupils Macron’s promises came a day after students protested across France over their conditions during Covid-19 restrictions. AFP Updated 22 Jan, 2021 09:32am
IOC chief says Tokyo Olympics will go ahead, no plan B Tokyo organisers have produced a raft of safety measures they say will allow the Games to go ahead. AFP Updated 22 Jan, 2021 10:25am
Two more firms contact Drap for vaccine registration Russia’s state-owned Sputnik-V company has filed an application seeking permission for emergency use of its vaccine in Pakistan. Ikram Junaidi Updated 22 Jan, 2021 08:19am
Still separated: Covid-19 order keeps families apart after Biden lifts 'Muslim ban' Some 40,000 people have been barred from entering the United States under Trump's ban, according to State Department data. Reuters Published 21 Jan, 2021 09:56pm
Coronavirus drug production 'not affected' in fire at world's largest vaccine plant in India Three people were reported to have been rescued from the blaze, with another unaccounted for. AFP Published 21 Jan, 2021 04:23pm
China to 'gift' 0.5m doses of Covid-19 vaccine to Pakistan by Jan 31: Qureshi Foreign minister says China plans to provide more doses by February; production of Chinese vaccine in Pakistan also discussed. Dawn.com Updated 22 Jan, 2021 08:19am
NIH gets go-ahead to store Covid-19 vaccine The Islamabad Healthcare Regulatory Authority has directed hospitals in the capital to register themselves by Feb 28. Ikram Junaidi | Aamir Yasin Updated 21 Jan, 2021 09:51am
Struggling French students protest university closures The government ordered all universities closed in October to stem resurgent virus infections. AP Updated 21 Jan, 2021 09:35am
Oxford vaccine may cost around $6 in Pakistan Sole authorised local distributor unable to give a proper timeline for the supply of the vaccine. Ikram Junaidi | Imran Ayub Updated 21 Jan, 2021 07:51am
Govt hopeful of procuring 1 million doses of Covid-19 vaccines by March 31: PM's aide Dr Faisal says Pakistan entitled to receive 20m doses of Cansino's vaccine; govt aims to vaccinate 70pc of the population. Dawn.com Updated 20 Jan, 2021 08:49pm
India starts Covid-19 vaccine shipments to neighbours, barring Pakistan and China Many low-income countries are relying on India, the world’s biggest vaccine maker, for supplies to start immunisation programmes. Reuters Updated 21 Jan, 2021 08:01am
Sinovac to double CoronaVac vaccine output by next month Company says it had supplied more than 7 million doses of its vaccine to provinces and municipalities across China by Jan 10. Zheng Yiran Published 20 Jan, 2021 05:09pm
China defends handling of initial stage of Covid-19 outbreak Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson says it supports the leadership of the WHO in the fight against the pandemic. Zhou Jin Updated 20 Jan, 2021 02:16pm
PM briefed on efforts to engage more firms for Covid vaccine The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan wants the govt to provide the vaccine at subsidised rates. Ikram Junaidi Updated 20 Jan, 2021 08:24am
Dubai, party haven amid pandemic, faces its biggest surge Amid an aggressive testing campaign, the country has reported more than 256,000 cases and 751 deaths. AP Published 19 Jan, 2021 03:19pm
Pakistan approves another Covid-19 vaccine The Pakistan Medical Association has asked the govt to share the details of vaccines under consideration for import. Ikram Junaidi Published 19 Jan, 2021 07:34am
Health authorities resume random testing for Covid-19 in schools Officials say a final report regarding the positivity rate at schools will be analysed at the end of the month. Bureau Report Updated 19 Jan, 2021 09:51am
Japan PM vows Olympics will be proof of victory against virus Says his govt will revise laws to make anti-virus measures enforceable with penalties and compensation. Agencies Updated 19 Jan, 2021 10:16am
Chinese pharma Sinopharm's Covid vaccine becomes 2nd to be approved for emergency use in Pakistan The authorisation will be reviewed on a quarterly basis keeping in view further data regarding safety and efficacy: Drap. Ikram Junaidi Updated 19 Jan, 2021 07:47am
Dutch police use water cannon on anti-govt protesters Amsterdam municipality says riot police took action to disperse the crowd because people weren't adhering to social distancing. Agencies Updated 18 Jan, 2021 08:26am
India’s vaccination drive hits bump due to app glitch Many health workers, who were due to receive a vaccine, did not get the message via an app developed by the govt. Reuters Updated 18 Jan, 2021 08:37am
Biden to address Covid, racism on first day in office As he inherits the White House from Donald Trump, Biden’s plate is overflowing with acute challenges. AFP Updated 18 Jan, 2021 08:39am
Pfizer reassures Europe over vaccine Worries have grown that delays in the delivery of Pfizer-BioNTech shots could hamper a European vaccine rollout. AFP Updated 18 Jan, 2021 08:45am
More Covid-19 vaccines to be registered: official Drap official says a Karachi-based company has registered AstraZeneca’s vaccine. Ikram Junaidi Published 18 Jan, 2021 07:13am
Australian Open to go ahead despite Covid quarantines Seventy-two players and their entourages have to isolate for two weeks in their hotel rooms in Melbourne. Agencies Updated 18 Jan, 2021 10:12am
Proteas clear Covid-19 tests, undergo first practice session According to Cricket South Africa, 21 cricketers and 11 support staff underwent testing shortly after arriving. The Newspaper's Sports Reporter Updated 18 Jan, 2021 10:14am
India hails 'life saving' Covid-19 vaccine rollout, but concerns remain about homegrown shot Vaccine hesitancy has emerged as a major concern amid apprehensions about emergency approval for homegrown vaccine. AFP Published 17 Jan, 2021 02:15pm
'Trauma stays with you': Prince William worried about strain on UK emergency workers The surge in infections across the UK has pushed the number of people hospitalised with Covid-19 to a record 37,282. Published 17 Jan, 2021 12:39pm
Pindi sees more casualties, positivity rate drops in capital As many as 457 patients in Pindi are waiting for their coronavirus serology results for the last four days. Ikram Junaidi Updated 17 Jan, 2021 09:29am
Resumption of classes: Punjab asks schools to follow Centre’s directions The student ratio must remain at 50 per cent of the total strength in schools, says notification. The Newspaper's Staff Reporter Updated 17 Jan, 2021 09:40am
Murad, Asad Umar strike conciliatory tone, vow to work together for city Planning minister hints at availability of Covid-19 vaccine in Pakistan by March. Tahir Siddiqui Updated 17 Jan, 2021 09:52am
Thousands of anti-maskers rally in Vienna Austria, which has a population of 8.9m, has reported a total 7,053 deaths from Covid-19 since the outbreak of the pandemic. AFP Updated 17 Jan, 2021 09:20am
Drap gives go-ahead to AstraZeneca for use in emergency Sinopharm’s registration expected next week; minister denies VIPs already vaccinated. Ikram Junaidi Published 17 Jan, 2021 06:53am
PIA didn’t pay lease due to pandemic, says minister Says Malaysian court gave the decision without getting PIA’s stance on the issue. Aamir Yasin Updated 17 Jan, 2021 11:51pm
Drap approves AstraZeneca vaccine for emergency use in Pakistan The Oxford University and AstraZeneca Covid vaccine becomes first to get approval in Pakistan. Reuters | Dawn.com Updated 19 Jan, 2021 05:38am
Sindh urges Centre to allow provinces to procure Covid-19 vaccines Dr Azra Pechuho criticises federal govt for delay in vaccine procurement, says this will make Pakistan a "pariah country". Dawn.com Updated 16 Jan, 2021 07:01pm
India's Modi kicks off 'world's largest' vaccination campaign Health experts worry that the regulatory shortcut taken to approve the Bharat Biotech shot could amplify vaccine hesitancy. Reuters | AP Published 16 Jan, 2021 12:44pm
Most infected with Covid in KP last week youth: WHO Virus claims 11 more lives in KP. Ashfaq Yusufzai Updated 16 Jan, 2021 10:09am
Covid-19 infection rate reaches 9pc in Lahore Health and medical experts say new reports indicate no respite in the spike of the cases in the coming few months. Asif Chaudhry Updated 16 Jan, 2021 09:46am
Telecom revenue surges 129pc amid lockdown Data usage increased by 77pc to 4,498 petabytes. The Newspaper's Staff Reporter Updated 16 Jan, 2021 09:14am
Fearful US consumers await Biden stimulus injection His proposal would cushion the blow for the unemployed by increasing the amount of weekly payments and lengthening their duration. AFP Updated 16 Jan, 2021 09:19am
Govt wants to obtain vaccine of highest efficacy PM’s aide insists govt hasn’t delayed procurement. Syed Irfan Raza | Ikram Junaidi Updated 16 Jan, 2021 04:47pm
Health experts 'shocked' as Indian authorities grant emergency approval to homegrown vaccine Authorities say that Covaxin might work better against new Covid-19 strains. AFP Updated 15 Jan, 2021 11:43pm
Classes 9-12 to reopen from Jan 18 as planned, says Shafqat Mahmood High school students will not be promoted without exams this year; classes 1-8 to reopen from Feb 1, says federal minister. Dawn.com Updated 18 Jan, 2021 02:07pm
German lockdown loopholes under scrutiny as deaths hit new high Officials are considering tougher restrictions to curb the continued rise in infections. AP Updated 15 Jan, 2021 09:05am
Peshawar medics being trained to manage Covid patients Peshawar has the highest Covid-19 mortality rate in the province. Ashfaq Yusufzai Updated 15 Jan, 2021 09:51am
Education, health ministers meet today to decide opening of schools Sources say health authorities could recommend delaying the reopening of schools for a few weeks. Kashif Abbasi Updated 15 Jan, 2021 10:21am
Islamabad sees downward trend in Covid-19 cases Seven of 3,500 people who arrived from abroad have tested positive, says official. Ikram Junaidi | Aamir Yasin Updated 15 Jan, 2021 09:42am
Covid cases may increase in Punjab if SOPs not observed in schools Primary health secretary says the number of new coronavirus patients increased during the last week. The Newspaper's Staff Reporter Updated 15 Jan, 2021 09:27am
WHO tackles new strains as China logs first Covid death in eight months Much of the planet is facing a second or third wave of infections. AFP Updated 15 Jan, 2021 07:46am
Alarm as daily virus cases jump to over 3,050 The positivity ratio, which remained at around 5 per cent for the last few weeks, also saw a jump and went up to 7.45 per cent Ikram Junaidi Published 15 Jan, 2021 07:11am
I spoke to 99 big thinkers about what our ‘world after coronavirus’ might look like — this is what I learned In the months that followed, I learned many things. Most importantly, I learned there is no “going back to normal.” Adil Najam Published 14 Jan, 2021 07:52pm
Bilawal, Zardari not invited to Biden's inauguration: Farhatullah Babar Several local media outlets had earlier reported father-son due were invited and would be attending the Biden-Harris inauguration. Anwar Iqbal Updated 14 Jan, 2021 06:32pm
UK’s virus variant has spread to 50 countries, says WHO “The more the SARS-CoV-2 virus spreads, the more opportunities it has to change," the UN body says. AFP Updated 14 Jan, 2021 09:18am
Moeen infected with new UK strain of Covid-19 The 33-year-old England all-rounder is Sri Lanka’s first case of the UK strain, which is believed to be more transmissible. AFP Updated 14 Jan, 2021 10:14am
Chinese vaccine registration soon as trial nears end Official says it is a matter of days to get approval from Drap for the emergency procurement of the vaccine. Ikram Junaidi Updated 13 Jan, 2021 07:40am
Malaysian parliament suspended after declaration of virus emergency This is the first time Malaysia has declared a national state of emergency in over half a century. AFP Updated 13 Jan, 2021 09:04am
EU gets vaccine boost as WHO dampens herd immunity hopes The US remains the worst-affected country, and has posted an average of more than 3,000 deaths a day over the last week. AFP Updated 13 Jan, 2021 07:26am
Covid-19 one of 'biggest contributing factors' to Pakistan team's 'dismal' performances: PCB Chairman Saleem Yousuf says committee "strongly believed team selections and choice of players should have been made better". Dawn.com Updated 13 Jan, 2021 10:00am
World nears two million pandemic deaths; BioNTech promises to boost supply WHO experts are focusing on Covid-19’s origins and planned a mission to China this week to probe the initial outbreak. AFP Updated 12 Jan, 2021 08:52am
Japan celebrates coming-of-age day despite virus surge More than a million people in Japan turn 20 this year, the age at which they can legally drink alcohol, smoke and get married. AFP Updated 12 Jan, 2021 08:57am
Covid health consequences correspond with personal decisions, warns Asad Umar "If we do the right things, we shall continue to safeguard lives and livelihoods," he says. Dawn.com Published 11 Jan, 2021 11:56am
Britain races to vaccine target, Germany warns hardest days ahead January 11 marks one year since China confirmed its first death from Covid-19. AFP Updated 11 Jan, 2021 09:14am
Drive against polio begins as Covid cases cross 500,000 mark A supplementary dose of Vitamin A drops will also be administered to the children during the five-day polio campaign. Ikram Junaidi Updated 11 Jan, 2021 08:40am
Rapid testing enables KP health dept to boost surveillance of Covid patients New kits have been supplied to all districts of the province. Ashfaq Yusufzai Updated 11 Jan, 2021 10:10am
Capital’s 9,000 healthcare workers register for Covid-19 vaccination Official says number of requests for vaccine expected to rise. Aamir Yasin | Ikram Junaidi Updated 11 Jan, 2021 10:01am
Coronavirus: Pakistan’s efforts to procure vaccine will cover just 20pc population SAPM on Health Dr Faisal Sultan says the govt has decided to procure vaccines in a graduated fashion. Mansoor Malik Updated 11 Jan, 2021 01:42pm
Govt optimistic of getting Covid vaccine soon Survey reveals 7 out of 10 Pakistanis believe government handled Covid-19 crisis well. Ikram Junaidi Updated 10 Jan, 2021 02:18pm
Pindi records over 450 active patients Out of the active patients, 86 are in hospitals and 376 are isolated at home. Munawer Azeem | Aamir Yasin Updated 09 Jan, 2021 09:38am
Khamenei bans import of vaccines from US, UK Says Iran can obtain vaccines “from other reliable places”. Reuters Updated 09 Jan, 2021 09:14am
Tokyo Olympics ‘safe and secure’ despite virus emergency: organisers Tokyo 2020 chiefs have already said another postponement of the Games is out of the question. Agencies Updated 09 Jan, 2021 10:32am
Clinical trial of Covid-19 vaccine completes this week Ministry of National Health Services believes criticism over delay in booking the vaccine is unjustified. Ikram Junaidi | Munawer Azeem Updated 08 Jan, 2021 09:40am
France keeps restaurants, ski resorts closed Nationwide nightly curfew extended till Jan 20. Reuters Updated 08 Jan, 2021 09:18am
20.76m lost livelihood due to lockdowns: survey The income of 17.07m households was affected due to lockdown restrictions, data shows. Khaleeq Kiani Published 08 Jan, 2021 07:32am
Number of coronavirus cases on decline in KP For the past one week, the province has been reporting less than 300 Covid-19 cases per day. Ashfaq Yusufzai Updated 08 Jan, 2021 09:50am
Moderna CEO says vaccine likely to protect for 'couple of years' Moderna CEO said company would prove that its vaccine would also be effective against variants of the coronavirus. Reuters Published 07 Jan, 2021 04:39pm
1,597 complaints against flouting of lockdown SOPs during second wave Figures show that during December more than 1,000 people died of the virus in Punjab. Asif Chaudhry Updated 07 Jan, 2021 09:19am
52 deaths, over 2,100 new Covid-19 cases reported Students will get a few more weeks to prepare for the examinations, says ministry spokesperson. Ikram Junaidi Updated 07 Jan, 2021 08:00am
WHO’s virus mission in disarray as China refuses team entry Ten experts were due to arrive in China this week for establishing how and where the virus jumped from animals to humans. AFP Updated 07 Jan, 2021 07:32am
Criticism mounts of India's 'abrupt' approval of local vaccine A regulatory panel has approved the shot just one day after asking the vaccine maker for more evidence it would work. Reuters Updated 06 Jan, 2021 08:07pm
England pass coronavirus tests in Sri Lanka after Moeen blow Chris Woakes, who had been a close contact of Moeen, tested negative but will continue to isolate in his room. AFP Published 06 Jan, 2021 11:52am
Britain enters lockdown that could run until March Surging numbers of positive cases, and fears a new variant of the virus is running out of control, have prompted tougher action. AFP Updated 06 Jan, 2021 08:51am
Vaccine delivery likely to face delay, says Sindh health minister "Preparations are in full swing to formulate a comprehensive vaccination management and information system," says Dr Azra Pechuho. Faiza Ilyas Updated 06 Jan, 2021 09:51am
Covid detected in five people on return from UK in KP Samples sent to NIH to ascertain new virus strain. Ashfaq Yusufzai Updated 06 Jan, 2021 09:36am
PPP leaders want govt to discuss Covid-19 policy in parliament Say parliamentary committees are not being allowed to function properly. Ikram Junaidi Updated 06 Jan, 2021 08:00am
Procurement rules relaxed to allow vaccine import There will be no need to fulfil the tender requirement to procure the vaccine. Syed Irfan Raza Updated 06 Jan, 2021 07:15am
England placed under lockdown till mid-Feb "Our hospitals are under more pressure from Covid than at any time since the start of the pandemic," says UK PM Johnson. AP Updated 05 Jan, 2021 08:50am
Travel curbs on UK passengers extended till 31st Pakistani nationals will have to produce a negative PCR test result conducted within 72 hours prior to their travel. Mohammad Asghar Updated 05 Jan, 2021 07:47am
Two cases of new strain confirmed in Pakistan: NCOC Official says the patients confirmed to have the virus belong to Karachi and Rawalpindi. Ikram Junaidi Updated 05 Jan, 2021 07:55am
Moeen tests positive for Covid-19 “Moeen will now observe a period of 10 days self-isolation," the England and Wales Cricket Board says. AFP Updated 05 Jan, 2021 10:07am
India fine with strict quarantine for Brisbane Test, says Cricket Australia boss "Both teams have wanted to play the schedule as we've set out," says CA boss Nick Hockley. Reuters Published 04 Jan, 2021 01:57pm
Govt announces phase-wise opening of educational institutions from Jan 18 Classes nine to 12 to be allowed to resume from Jan 18, classes one to eight to resume on Jan 25. Dawn.com Updated 04 Jan, 2021 03:48pm
US may cut some Moderna vaccine doses in half to speed rollout, official says The US has also approved a vaccine from Pfizer, which like Moderna's requires two shots. Reuters Published 04 Jan, 2021 11:42am
England land in Sri Lanka to resume Covid-marred tour “We are very excited about the Galle Tests," says Joe Root. AFP Updated 04 Jan, 2021 10:25am
Britain set for tougher virus rules as cases surge Health officials are concerned that the surging numbers could overwhelm hospitals during their busiest time of the year. AFP Updated 04 Jan, 2021 08:44am