ISLAMABAD: Asad Umar, the Federal Minister for Planning, Development, and Special Initiatives announced on Wednesday that all COVID-19-related limitations will be lifted across Pakistan.
“The epidemic is not over yet, but it is nearing the end,” Umar remarked at a press conference at the National Command and Operation Centre, flanked by SAPM on Health Dr. Faisal Sultan (NCOC).
After thoroughly evaluating the COVID-19 situation in Pakistan, Umar, who is also the NCOC chief, stated that the forum has decided to abolish all coronavirus limitations, including protocols for indoor eating, indoor wedding celebrations and markets, sports activities, and all other SOPs across Pakistan.
However, he stated that the sole constraint that would remain in place is the requirement to get vaccinated against COVID-19, but only until the vaccination rate reaches 80% or above.
“Then we’ll see if we still need to have the vaccination limit in place,” he explained.
According to the NCOC’s data for Wednesday, 493 new coronavirus cases were reported in the previous 24 hours, with a positive ratio of 1.42 percent.
The government had previously intended to terminate the NCOC by the end of next month, with the National Institute of Health taking over the forum’s tasks.
‘For the past seven weeks, COVID-19 cases have been declining.’
“For the last seven to eight weeks, the positive ratio has been steadily falling in the country,” the minister said, adding that the number of people admitted to hospitals has also decreased.
According to him, the NCOC has noticed that the number of patients in critical care units has not only decreased but has also dropped to its lowest level since October 2020, with a further drop projected.
Umar went on to say that 78 percent of the people who are eligible for COVID-19 immunization – those over the age of 12 — have gotten the first dose of anti-COVID-19 vaccine, with 70 percent having received the entire vaccine.
‘The pandemic is far from done.’
“Considering the scenario, we must emerge from this pandemic, and to do so, we require a period of transition to return to regular life,” he stated.
He stated that only God knows whether the pandemic will entirely stop, but that it now appears to be lingering and a part of life around the world.
The relaxation of restrictions, however, “doesn’t mean the pandemic is gone,” according to Umar, who added that the government would continue to monitor the situation.
He acknowledged that the NCOC recognizes that eliminating the ban will have an impact on the number of cases; however, the decision was made after much thought.
