City-wise Covid restrictions as per vaccination rate: NCOC

NCOC to hold another review on 29 November

ISLAMABAD:

The National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC) has decided to relax restrictions in cities across Pakistan on the basis of their respective vaccination rates. The decision was taken during a session of the NCOC held on November 12 to review the coronavirus positivity rate across Pakistan and the pace of the vaccination drive.

“To encourage and incentivise cities with excellent vaccination progress, the forum has decided relaxations in non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPIs) and return to normal life. Accordingly, the basis of NPIs for cities have been decided as per vaccination progress,” a statement by the NCOC read.
In Narowal, Jhelum, Mandi Bahauddin, Peshawar, Bhimber, Bagh, Mirpur, Skardu, Gilgit, Ghizer and Islamabad, the vaccination rate is above 50%.

Read Don’t lower guard against Covid now: official

In Rawalpindi, Sargodha, Sialkot, Mianwali, Kallar Kahar, Hafizabad, Rahim Yar Khan, Karachi, Chitral, Charsadda, Balakot, Jhelum Valley, Rawalakot, Muzaffarabad, Neelum, Hunza and Kharmang, the vaccination rate is between 40% to 50%.

Remaining cities including Lahore and Hyderabad, have a vaccination rate of less than 40%.

“These NPIs will remain effective till November 30,” the NCOC said, adding that a review will be carried out on 29 November.

On November 11, the government allowed Chinese vaccines - Sinopharm and Sinovac, to be administered to children above the age of 12 years, following their approval by the NCOC committee of health experts, said a statement.

The NCOC said in the statement that more than half the students across the country had been inoculated so far. The NCOC chief, planning minister Asad Umar said that Gilgit-Baltistan and Punjab had the highest ratio of inoculation among teenagers.