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ISLAMABAD: Economic Coordination Committee of the federal cabinet has expressed the government’s commitment to provide $1.1 billion for procurement of COVID-19 vaccines to achieve the vaccination target till December this year.
The decision was taken in a meeting chaired by Minister for Finance and Revenue Shaukat Tarin. The minimum target for vaccine procurement is 45 million and the maximum is 65 million.
The ECC in its meeting on May 31 had already approved $130 million for procuring the vaccine for June 2021. However, due to the increased target of vaccination by NCOC, another $50 million was required in addition to the already approved amount for the month of June this year.
ECC also approved the additional funds of $70 million for achieving the vaccination target for this month. Vaccine procurement is currently the responsibility of National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA).
ECC allowed the amendments in three SROs issued by the Revenue Division to facilitate the Ministry of National Health Services, Regulation and Coordination for the import of COVID 19 medical and diagnostic equipment.
ECC approved the request of Economic Affairs Division to proceed with the formal request for availing the G-20 Debt Relief for the extended period, July- December 2021. ECC also approved important technical supplementary grants worth billions of rupees for different departments.
READ MORE: Govt approves procurement of one million COVID-19 vaccines
Meanwhile, National Command and Operation Centre has declared COVID-19 vaccination obligatory for public and private sector employees, saying that all government servants will have to be vaccinated by the end of this month.
The decision to this effect was taken at NCOC session held chaired by Minister for Planning and Development Asad Umar. The forum decided that a countrywide mass vaccination campaign will be run under three-pronged strategy and all citizens will be immunized on a voluntary basis, while certain incentives will be introduced for various sectors to encourage vaccination.
It was decided that all vaccination centres will remain open from 8 A.M. to 10 P.M. daily from next Friday, except on Sunday. From Friday onwards, citizens of 18 years plus will be able to avail walk-in facility in vaccination centres.
From next Tuesday onwards, it was decided to relax restrictions on closure of two days a week to one day and choice of the day will be at the discretion of federating units.
It allowed partial opening of indoor gyms for vaccinated members while shrines and cinemas will remain closed. The two days weekly ban on inter-provincial transport will be lifted and restrictions regarding 50 percent occupancy for public transport will be relaxed to 70 percent occupancy.