Punjab govt relaxes restrictions following plunge in coronavirus cases

By: News Desk
Published: 11:00 AM, 16 Oct, 2021
Pakistan coronavirus
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Following the drop in the number of coronavirus cases in the province, the Punjab government has decided to relax the restrictions imposed in view of the pandemic, reported 24NewsHD TV channel on Saturday.

Now, the provincial government has allowed business activities throughout the week.

From today, shopping centers and other trade centers will remain open till 10:00 PM seven days a week while indoor dining, too, has been allowed at restaurants with 50 percent customers at a time. However, only those who have received the coronavirus vaccine would be allowed to enter.

Similarly, 300 people vaccinated against the pandemic would be able to attend the wedding ceremonies arranged indoors, while 500 vaccinated people have been allowed to attend these ceremonies organised outdoors. 

Likewise, only people fully vaccinated against the virus will be allowed to enter the shrines and cinemas from now onwards. 

As per new instructions, 300 people having received the vaccine will be allowed to attend the indoor functions, while as far as the outdoor functions are concerned, 1,000 vaccinated people will be able to attend these functions. 

Also Read: Pakistan records 24 more corona deaths, 893 infections in a day

A day earlier, the National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC) in a meeting in Islamabad had decided to further ease sanctions, following the reduction in the coronavirus cases.

The NCOC had lifted the restriction of the mandatory one-day weekly closure across the country because of the ongoing vaccination campaign.

The number of participants in indoor wedding ceremonies has increased from 200 to 300. Moreover, 500 people as an upper limit will be allowed to attend outdoor wedding ceremonies.

In the meeting, the Covid-19 situation in the country was reviewed in detail in proportion to the level of completion of vaccination in the districts.

The implementation of non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPIs) will remain enforced from October 16 to 31.

However, the existing NPIs will be reviewed at a meeting of the NCOC on October 21.

The NCOC stressed the objective that the public must adopt the vaccination process as a national duty.

Reporter Azmat Awan