The coronavirus cases stayed below the 500 mark over the last 24 hours, according to the National Command and Operation Centre, three days after the government lifted all Covid-induced restrictions in view of the downward trajectory of the virus.

In a tweet, the NCOC said that around 39,067 tests were conducted in a single day and at least 483 cases were reported. Moreover, the Covid positivity rate stood at 1.23%, two deaths were reported, and 503 patients were on critical care.

The NCOC forum, which serves as the nerve centre of the country’s unified efforts to contain the spread of the novel coronavirus, also shared the countrywide Covid tally. With 573,347 coronavirus cases, Sindh topped the list, followed by Punjab (504,324), Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (218,583), Islamabad (134,930), Azad Jammu and Kashmir (43,209), Balochistan (35,458), Gilgit Baltistan (11,662).

The forum on Friday issued the notification for lifting all the Covid-induced restrictions. It read that all the curbs have been ended for the vaccinated people, adding that religious places would have to follow the standard operating procedures.

NCOC head Asad Umar, flanked by Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Health Faisal Sultan in a press conference, on Wednesday announced the government decision to lift all Covid-related restrictions, except mandatory vaccination, as the country nears the “end of the pandemic”.

“We are witnessing a decrease in the number of coronavirus cases and the patients on critical care. Right now we have the lowest number of patients on critical care since October 2020,” he had said.

In view of the prevailing Covid situation, Umar said the forum has decided to lift all Covid-related curbs – including on eating places, markets, outdoor events, sports events, religious events – except mandatory vaccination. He pointed out that the people could not travel via aeroplane unless they are vaccinated, adding that it would be in place until the country’s population further reach the vaccinated people status.