ISLAMABAD: The National Command and Operation Center (NCOC) on Wednesday has decided to ease restrictions in eight cities including Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Quetta and Peshawar after decrease in coronavirus cases.

The NCOC has decided to ease restrictions in the cities with high vaccination rates, including Skardu, Gilgit, Muzaffarabad, Mirpur, Peshawar, Quetta, Rawalpindi and Islamabad.

Addressing a joint press conference along with Prime Minister's Special Assistant on National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination Dr Faisal Sultan, the federal minister for Planning and Development and chairman of NCOC Asad Umar said that the vaccine is the only solution to get rid of corona and the world has understood that corona can only be countered through vaccination.

He said that the authorities have allowed participation of 300 people for indoor and 1000 for outdoor events.

Restaurants and tombs will be opened seven days only for vaccinated citizens, he told, urging the people to get themselves vaccinated as early as possible.

Asad said that eight crore people have been administered coronavirus vaccination so far.

He said that restaurants will be open seven days a week in the cities where the restrictions have been lifted, while the rest of the cities will have a one-day closure policy, adding that from October 1, only vaccinated people will be allowed to travel by air.

In his remarks on the occasion, Special Assistant on National Health Services Dr. Faisal Sultan said the process of vaccination is being taken forward successfully. He said a total of twelve percent population across the country has been vaccinated against COVID-19. He was confident that the vaccination will get further momentum in the month of October.

Dr Faisal Sultan said that the vaccination has now also been opened for those aged twelve and above in order to ensure uninterrupted functioning of the education sector.

He once again made it clear that the anti-COVID vaccine is totally safe and carries no risks.

Dr. Faisal Sultan urged the nation not to pay attention to any kind of vaccine propaganda, the vaccine is necessary and safe for pregnant women, besides it is very important to give a second dose for complete prevention of the disease.