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ISLAMABAD: The National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC) on Tuesday announced that all passengers, domestic and international, travelling by air must be fully vaccinated against Covid-19 by September 30.
Addressing a press conference along with Special Assistant on National Health Services Dr Faisal Sultan, Planning Minister Asad Umar said incoming international passengers, as well as those flying domestically or abroad, would not be allowed to avail the facility from Sep 30 unless fully vaccinated.
“Additionally, those using public transport including trains, metros and buses will have to receive both doses by October 15 to avail these services,” the minister added. He said the measures were taken to ensure public health protection and allow operation of businesses.
He further announced that people travelling on motorways must have been administered the first dose by September 15, whereas those travelling through highways must get the first COVID-19 dose by September 30 and the second dose by October 30 to prevent travel bar.
Other decisions that were taken by the NCOC in its meeting include:
- Vaccination for those aged between 17 and 18 to begin from Sep 1
- Immunocompromised people aged above 12 will get a “specific vaccine” from Sep 1
- Visitors at shopping malls, hotels, restaurants and weddings should get first dose by Aug 31 to enter premises
- Students aged 17 and above should get first dose by Sep 15 and second dose by Oct 15.
- School van drivers should get first dose by Aug 31
Taking over the presser, Special Assistant Dr Faisal said that the government has started consideration to initiate booster after six months of second shot to above 50-year frontline healthcare workers. He said after consultation this booster was likely to start from October 1st.
The Special Assistant further said there was also a plan to start boosters for the immunocompromised persons after six months of their second dose.
The SAPM added that the NCOC has developed a mobile app with the support of the National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) to provide vaccine certificates to the people on their mobile after submitting the required details.
He added foreign vaccinated Pakistanis can also get their vaccine certificate at the NADRA website from August 26. He added people can download valid vaccination certificates from the website.