Pakistan has asked chief secretaries of all four provinces – Sindh, Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan – to conduct coronavirus tests under its plans to stem the virus spread, as the country experiences another rise in cases.

“We have asked all the provinces to increase Covid tests,” Health Minister Abdul Qadir Patel said while addressing a press conference in Islamabad. “We are closely watching the religious gatherings which could lead to increase in Covid cases.”

Decisions

• Children from 5 to 11 years will be vaccinated, campaign to start in one to two months
• More than 85% of the eligible population stands vaccinated
• Vaccines for children from Pfizer to arrive within the next two months
• Booster dose campaign underway in which monthly one million doses are administered
• Wearing masks made mandatory in closed spaces, railway stations, public transport, and airlines
• An awareness campaign to run

The health minister urged the media to spread the information regarding the Covid-19 situation. Patel said the government would request the Election Commission of Pakistan to ensure the implementation of Covid-19 SOPs during the election.

To a query, he said that journalists’ can visit the NCOC office after submitting an application.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has urged the people to follow the instructions and standard operating procedures related to the coronavirus.

“Our front-line workers and doctors have made many sacrifices to keep us safe. We must not waste these gains against corona,” he said in a tweet.

Precautionary measures

• Wear masks in closed spaces
• Social distancing in closed spaces, railway stations, public transport, and airlines
• Use of sanitisers