Govt lifting all the COVID-19 related restrictions across Pakistan: Asad Umar

ISLAMABAD, Mar 16 (SABAH): Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Asad Umar on Wednesday said that the government is lifting all the COVID-19 related restrictions across Pakistan.

Briefing media persons along with Special Assistant on National Health Services Dr. Faisal Sultan in Islamabad on Wednesday, Asad Umar said restrictions such as those on indoor and outdoor dining, wedding halls, markets and religious gatherings are being done away with. He, however, said the condition of vaccination for the air travelers will stay in place.

Asad Umar said the decision of lifting the restrictions is aimed at reviving normalcy in our life. He, however, said this does not mean the pandemic is over. We will continue to closely monitor the behaviour of the pandemic in order to take the timely decisions accordingly.

The Minister for Planning and Development thanked the entire nation especially religious scholars, business community and healthcare workers for their support in dealing with the pandemic. He said the role of provincial governments and Pakistan Army also remained very critical in implementation of decisions taken at the forum of National Command and Operation Center (NCOC).

Asad Umar expressed satisfaction over the vaccination of people against Covid-19 saying about eighty-seven percent eligible population over twelve years of age have received one jab whilst about seventy percent population stand fully vaccinated.

In his remarks, Special Assistant on National Health Services Dr Faisal Sultan asked the people to get them fully vaccinated and continue to observe other precautionary measures such as wearing of masks especially at congested places to avoid another wave of Covid-19 in the country.