NCOC eases virus-induced curbs, steps up vaccination campaign
NCOC lits the mandatory curb of one-day weekly closure of the markets across the country, and allows the reopening of shrines and cinema houses for the vaccinated persons
Pakistan has eased some of the coronavirusinduced restrictions nationwide in the wake of fall in the number of new cases of Covid-19, and the stepped-up vaccination campaign.
On account of a low-risk outlook of the disease, the National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC) lited the mandatory restriction of one-day weekly closure of the markets across the country, and allowed the reopening of shrines and cinema houses for the vaccinated persons.
The NCOC, which serves as the nerve centre of the government’s anti-pandemic strategy, increased the limit of the number of participants at the wedding ceremonies.
It increased the limit from 200 to 300 guests for indoor wedding ceremonies and from 400 to 500 for outdoor functions.
The NCOC reviewed the non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPIS). “The implementation of the NPIS will continue from Oct.16 to 31,” the forum said in a statement.
“The existing NPIS will be reviewed at a meeting of the NCOC on Oct.28.”
However, despite the big improvement in the pandemic situation, Planning Minister Asad Umar, who heads the NCOC, warned in a tweet that vaccination was the key to beat the Covid pandemic, otherwise the cases could increase in the upcoming winter season.
“According to a survey, 86% of the people think that the corona[virus] will be overcome soon. We are grateful for this public trust, but it will only be possible if people get vaccinated as soon as possible. “Otherwise, there is a risk of increase in the spread of coronavirus with the cold weather,” he said.
The official data showed that the authorities concerned have administered more than 93 million vaccine jabs.
In its statement ater the meeting, the NCOC stressed that the people must adopt the vaccination process as a national duty.
The number of Covid-19 cases has been on the decline for the past few weeks.
Since the start of October, the single-day tally of new cases mostly hovered around 1,000, while the national positivity ratio came down below 2.5%.
The number of active cases also remained on constant decline. Addressing the first consultative session of infection and disease control committee, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on National Health Services Dr Faisal Sultan said the government will make a long-term effective health strategy to ensure restraining future pandemics in the country.
He said keeping in view the Covid-19 situation faced by the country, the government will pay more focus on training its healthcare workers.
He said the government will also enhance coordinationwithprovincestoavoidanypandemic-like situation and work on a joint health strategy, adding that there is a plan to make more investment in the health sector.
He praised the NCOC for playing an effective role in managing the coronavirus situation across the country.
“This disease expansion has caused a burden on the country’s health system in previous waves.”
He said keeping in view the disease risk the government is taking effective steps to protect its citizens. “Still time is not of any complacency rather strict compliance of SOPS.”
Dr Sultan said, “Covid-19 is a deadly virus, but we can control it just as we controlled it by following the SOPS during the previous waves.
“We can save precious lives, including those of our near and dear ones by taking preventive measures.” Dr Sultan said keeping in view the Covid-19 situation faced by the country, the government will pay more focus on training of its healthcare workers.
He said the government will also enhance coordinationwithprovincestoavoidanypandemic-like situation and work on a joint health strategy, adding that there is a plan to make more investment in the health sector.
He praised the NCOC for playing an effective role in managing the coronavirus situation across the country.
“This disease expansion has caused a burden on the country’s health system in previous waves.”
He said keeping in view the disease risk the government is taking effective steps to protect its citizens. “Still time is not of any complacency rather strict compliance of SOPS.”