NCOC announces relaxing Covid restrictions in 8 cities

National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC) chief Asad Umar on Wednesday announced relaxation of coronavirus restrictions in eight cities having highest level of vaccination from October 1 (Friday).

"The NCOC has decided to relax restrictions in eight cities including Quetta, Peshawar, Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Muzaffarabad, Mirpur, Gilgit and Skardu," Umar said while addressing a virtual press talk along with Special Assistant to the Prime Minister (SAPM) on National Health Services Dr Faisal Sultan in the federal capital after chairing a meeting of the NCOC.

He also announced placing restrictions on adults not fully vaccinated from October 1.

Umar said the NCOC had set a target of vaccinating at least 40% of eligible population (15 years and above) which had been met by the eight cities where the restrictions were being relaxed.

He said the ban on shrines was being lifted that would be opened completely for the vaccinated people only.  Similarly, cinema halls will also open from Friday and entry would be linked to showing the vaccination certificate.

Dining would continue as per the guidelines whereas marriage halls and restaurants are allowed to remain open seven days a week in the eight cities. However, marriage halls and restaurants would remain closed at least one day a week in other cities.

Furthermore, the NCOC chief said that ban on refreshment and water for the passengers in flights was also being lifted, while only those passengers with complete vaccination certificate would be allowed to travel.

He said the maximum limit of people for indoor gatherings was being raised from 200 to 300 while that of outdoor from 400 to 1,000.

Umar said restrictions will remain in place in Karachi, Lahore, Multan, Faisalabad, Gujranwala, Hyderabad, Sukkur and Bahawalpur till October 15 with the condition of meeting the target of vaccinating at least 40% of the eligible population.

"I appeal to the people of other cities especially those affected by the restrictions to approach their respective city administration and political leadership to push people to get vaccinated so that restrictions could be lifted in all areas of the country," he added.

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He maintained that until now more than 27.7 million people had been administered both doses of coronavirus vaccine while 36 million had been given the first shot.

"We have set a target of vaccinating at least 70 million people in the country by December 1, 2021 and we are moving fast to achieving it," he said.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr Sultan maintained that before the availability of vaccine the main focus was on imposing restrictions, while "now we are gradually shifting our strategy focus towards vaccination".

The SAPM said the government had decided to lower the age of vaccination to 12 years as children were the “super spreaders” of the virus.

“Expectant mothers are most vulnerable [to virus] and need to get vaccinated more than normal individuals.”

Dr Sultan urged the people to keep their surroundings clean, saying dengue was spreading in the country.

Minister for Information and Broadcasting Fawad Chaudhry appreciated the NCOC’s decision to allow opening of cinemas in eight cities, including Rawalpindi and Islamabad.

The minister, in a tweet, expressed the hope that Karachi and Lahore administration would increase the vaccination drive so that cinemas in these cities could be opened in the next 10 days.

(With input from APP)