| Centre directs provinces to ensure 
strict implementation of SOPs | Over 20pc people aged 50 and above administered 
at least one vaccine dose: Asad

ISLAMABAD  -  The National Command and Operation Centre said Sunday that special measures were initiated to strictly implement Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) in all high risk sectors to prevent spread of COVID-19.

The NCOC has taken serious note of deadly virus strains prevailing in the country and violations of SOPs and the risk of pandemic spread in view of Eid-ul-Azha. The Forum has declared vaccination certificate mandatory for hotel bookings for tourists visiting Gilgit-Baltistan, Azad Jammu and Kashmir and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. 

The center also issued an elaborate procedure for verification of vaccine certificate at the entrances of tourist sites and hotels. NCOC has issued detailed instructions to all provinces for strict implementation of SOPs. The Forum has also formed teams to ensure compliance of wearing facemasks and implementation of social distancing and safety protocols. The NCOC has also issued directives for implementation of SOPs related to cattle markets and Eid-ul-Azha to limit disease spread.

Also, Federal Minister for Planning Asad Umar on Sunday urged the citizens aged 50 years or above to get vaccinated to make themselves safe from the Covid-19 pandemic. In a tweet today (Sunday), he said Pakistan has 27.2 million people who are 50 years or older, and this age group is the most vulnerable to serious health effect of Covid. Asad Umar said 5.6 million of these people have so far received at least one dose of vaccine.

Pakistan on Sunday reported 1,980 new coronavirus cases as the positivity rate for the infection reached over four percent for the first time since May 30.

According to the National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC), 48,382 tests were conducted during the past 24 hours out of which 1980 returned positive, suggesting a positivity rate of 4.09 percent. It was after 39 days that the positivity rate crossed the 4 percent mark.

Meanwhile, the country reported 27 more deaths, taking the death toll to 22,582. According to the NCOC, Sindh reported 1,091 Covid-19 cases during the past 24 hours, Punjab 292, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa 151, Balochistan 98, Islamabad 134, Gilgit-Baltistan 82 and Azad Jammu and Kashmir reported 132 such cases in a single day. Punjab’s tally of cases has reached 348,085 while the total death count reached 10,819.

Meanwhile, 908 patients recovered from the deadly disease in a day, taking total recoveries to 913,203. According to the NCOC, total active Covid-19 cases across the country were reported to be 37,499.

KP: Vaccination mandatory for wedding functions, dine in restaurants

Meanwhile, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government declared Corona vaccination mandatory for participation in wedding ceremonies and dining in restaurants, said an official handout issued here by Home and Tribal Affairs Department on Sunday.

 In this connection, on the directives of Chief Secretary Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Dr. Kazim Niaz, the Special Secretary Home and Tribal Affairs, Mohammad Asif held a meeting with the representatives of Restaurants and Wedding Halls Owners Association.

Those who attended the meeting were included Patron-in-Chief of the Association Asif Jamal, President Khalid Ayub, General Secretary Jamroz Khan, Khan Gul, Rahat Mughal and Fahad Khan.

During the meeting, Corona situation in the province was discussed in detail while the representatives of the Association briefed the Special Secretary about their problems and apprehensions.

After discussion, it was agreed that Corona related standard operating procedures (SOPs) would be observed and Corona vaccinated persons would be allowed to participate in wedding and other functions while only vaccinated persons will be allowed to dine in restaurants.

It was also agreed that the Association will ensure the vaccination of their all staffers and the entry of only vaccinated persons into wedding halls while the management of restaurants will serve food to only such persons.

Furthermore, the Association will inform the management of all wedding halls and restaurants regarding full adherence to official SOPs, otherwise stern action would be initiated against them.