Punjab to expedite Covid vaccination

Law minister says govt aware of financial losses to business community

LAHORE:

To control the corona pandemic, the Punjab government on Monday decided to expedite the vaccination process in the province as per the instructions of the National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC).

The decision was taken at a high-level meeting to review the situation of corona after the lockdown. Provincial Law Minister Basharat Raja, Health Minister Dr Yasmin Rashid, Punjab chief secretary, home additional chief secretary, administrative secretaries of both the health department and officers concerned attended the meeting that reviewed health facilities in hospitals and other measures.

Addressing the meeting, Law Minister Raja said the government was taking all possible steps to contain the spread of coronavirus and fully aware of the financial losses of the business community due to the lockdown.

He said the business community should support the government's efforts to curb the spread of the virus by taking precautionary measures in markets.

Dr Yasmeen Rashid said the precautionary measures taken during the lockdown are showing positive results.

She said so far more than 2.2 million people have been vaccinated in Punjab. As per the instructions of the NCOC, the process of vaccination in the province is in full swing and the capacity to administer vaccines daily is being gradually increased.

She mentioned that about 40 million people in Punjab would have to be inoculated to get protected from the coronavirus.

The Punjab chief secretary said the third wave of coronavirus is proving to be more dangerous.

"The virus can be prevented by wearing masks, keeping social distance and following other precautions. Citizens should protect themselves and others by adhering to SOPs," he said.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 18^th, 2021.