ISLAMABAD: Pakistan continues to witness a decline in positivity ratio on Friday as the situation improves from the fifth wave of the coronavirus.
According to the National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC), Pakistan reported 1,122 cases and 25 deaths in the previous 24-hour period. The national tally of coronavirus cases has reached 1,506,450 while the death toll has reached 30,139.
The positivity ratio was has dropped to 2.72% while the number of active cases has also reduced to 61,332. There were 41,142 tests were conducted in the previous day leading to new cases. There are 1,186 people who still remain in critical condition. Overall 1,414,979 people have recovered from the virus, including 2,550 in the past day.
Sindh has recorded the highest number of cases and remains the worst affected region. The province has recorded 566,505 cases and 8,636 deaths while there are 45,846 active cases.
Punjab has recorded 500,505 cases and 13,486 deaths, while the number of active cases in the province has reached 5,310. Islamabad has recorded 134,169 cases and 1,009 deaths while there are 595 active cases in the federal capital.
The number of cases in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa stands at 215,743 and 6,235 deaths, while Balochistan has reported 35,316 cases and 375 deaths. Gilgit Baltistan had recorded 11,448 cases and 189 deaths while Azad Kashmir has recorded 42,874 cases and 787 deaths.
Policy changes for travellers
The NCOC has revised the policy for inbound passengers as Pakistan sees a decline in COVID-19 infections. The forum reviewed inbound policy and decided to ease restrictions from Feb 24.
NCOC has abolished pre-boarding negative PCR has been abolished for fully vaccinated inbound travellers. However, non-vaccinated individuals over 12 years will require pre-boarding negative PCR.
It is mandatory for all inbound passengers to be fully vaccinated. Passengers below 12 years of age are exempted from mandatory vaccination. Passengers between 12-18 years of age are allowed to travel without mandatory vaccination till March 31, 2022.
All passengers and non-vaccinated pedestrians at border terminals will undergo Rapid Antigen Test (RAT) on arrival. Positive cases will be home quarantined for ten days. The NCOC eased restrictions in Karachi, Hyderabad, and Peshawar following a drop in the COVID positivity ratio and allowed indoor dining and weddings.
