Covid-induced time curbs on markets lifted
A healthcare worker collects a coronavirus disease (Covid-19) test swab sample from a woman at the Indira Gandhi International Airport in New Delhi, India, December 3, 2021. PHOTO: REUTERS
Following a decline in Covid-19 cases, the Punjab Primary and Secondary Healthcare Department (PSHD) has announced lifting of all restrictions of timings on markets and businesses across the province.
A notification issued on Tuesday highlights that now markets and businesses can carry out commercial activities round the clock while adhering to the coronavirus safetystandard operating procedures (SOPs), including social distancing, wearing of face mask and use of hand sanitiser.
PSHD Secretary Imran Sikandar Baloch said the notification had come into force with immediate effect in all districts of Punjab and instructed the local administration and law enforcement agencies to ensure implementation of the decision.
He also appealed to the general public to get themselves vaccinated against coronavirus at the earliest. All eligible people, including school going children more than 12 years of age, should get vaccinated as soon as possible as it is the only possible way to stop the spread of Covid-19 and its new Omicron variant that has already been reported in 95 countries, with over 58,000 confirmed cases.
Europe had been declared as the epicentre as the highest number of Omicron cases had been reported in the United Kingdom and Denmark, besides at least 149 confirmed cases in India so far.
Besides lifting time restriction, the government has decided to lower the age limit for Covid-19 vaccine booster dose as a precautionary measure against the new coronavirus variant wreaking havoc in Europe. T
Read More: Punjab allows businesses to operate 24/7 amid Covid downturn
he National Command and Operations Centre (NCOC) in its recent meeting decided that individuals aged 30 years plus are eligible to get a booster dose of their own choice from January 1, 2022. Earlier, the centre had approved booster dose administration for three categories, including healthcare workers, citizens aged above 50 years and immunocompromised patients.
The centre had also announced strict measures regarding the obligatory vaccination regime and advised citizens to take vaccine shots at the earliest as it was the only prevention against Covid-19 and its new variant.
The National Command and Operations Centre had last month to relax restrictions in cities across the country on the basis of their vaccination rates.
The decision was taken during a meeting of the NCOC held on November 12 to review the coronavirus positivity rate 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 and Mandi Bahauddin, the vaccination rate was above 50%.
In Rawalpindi, Sargodha, Sialkot, Mianwali, Kallar Kahar, Hafizabad, Rahim Yar Khan and Jhelum, the vaccination rate was 40% to 50%.
Remaining cities including Lahore had a vaccination rate of less than 40% at the time.
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.
Published in The Express Tribune, December 22nd, 2021.