ISLAMABAD: The National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC) announced that only vaccinated individuals will be allowed to travel by train from October 1 in a bid to contain the spread of coronavirus.
The NCOC meeting chaired by Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Asad Umar expressed concern over the growing spread of COVID-19 in the country and especially in Rawalpindi and Peshawar.
In Peshawar, traders have ignored the government’s calls for compliance with Covid-19 SOPs, resulting in an increase in cases. “Traders in most parts of the city largely ignored the call for lockdown and kept their shops open”, the NCOC noted.
The coronavirus monitoring body issued instructions to the concerned districts to implement the standard operating procedures (SOPs). The Forum also considered the measures to be taken in view of the arrival of Muharram.
Meanwhile, the NCOC expressed satisfaction with the pace of vaccinations across Pakistan. However, it stressed that the second dose of the vaccine needed to be administered in a timely manner.
On Saturday, the NCOC announced that the lockdown announced by the Sindh government in the province would be lifted from August 9. In a joint session held in Karachi, it was also decided that non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPIs) issued for the 13 major cities, including Karachi and Hyderabad, would be enforced.
“The disease situation in Sindh, particularly in Karachi, was discussed at length. The need for better coordination and enhanced interaction at all levels was emphasised,” a statement issued after the session had read.
“Special emphasis was laid on the implementation of SOPs/NPIs, especially in the wake of Muharram and lifting of the lockdown from August 9 onwards. Smart Lockdowns in high disease prevalence areas will also be enforced to curtail disease spread,” the statement added.
