Tue, 21-Oct-2025

US among six countries removed from Abu Dhabi green list 

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has extended its green list of countries and destinations from which travelers can enter the emirate without needing to quarantine on arrival. The latest update adds three countries to the list of approved places from where people can travel. Ireland has been added to the green list, after being removed … Read more

Pakistan records 3,221 new coronavirus cases: NCOC

Pakistan

ISLAMABAD – Pakistan recorded 3,221 new coronavirus cases early Tuesday, as the country continues to fight the pandemic’s fourth wave. According to the National Command and Operation Center’s daily statistics, just 3,221 of the 48,181 COVID-19 tests came back positive conducted in the last 24 hours. According to the most recent NCOC statistics, 4,291 people recovered … Read more

Human clinical trials for COVID-19 vaccine get approved by Spain

Spain

The first phase of human clinical trials for a Covid-19 vaccine produced by Spanish firm Hipra was approved by the pharmaceuticals agency of Spain on Tuesday. The clinical trials will recruit dozens of volunteers from Spanish hospitals “as soon as possible,” according to the statement. If the vaccine is authorized, Hipra, situated in Girona in … Read more

Meezan Bank launches Covid-19 Drive-Through Vaccination Centre

Meezan Bank

KARACHI: Meezan Bank, Pakistan’s leading Islamic bank, in collaboration with the government of Sindh has launched Pakistan’s largest Covid-19 Drive-Through Vaccination Centre for the general public in Karachi, a statement said on Saturday. The facility is situated at the central location of Karachi in Gulberg Town at Afghan Ground, Block 19, FB Area, opposite Afroze … Read more

Karachiites take a jab at Covid

KARACHI: For many, receiving Covid-19 jabs has been a way to fight the deadly pandemic while for others the vaccination has only proved to be a way to keep their cellphones alive and their salaries on time. Though the first batch of Covid vaccinations reached the country in February this year, there has been an … Read more

Sindh introduces mobile vaccination centres in Karachi

Corona Vaccination Certificate

KARACHI: In a bid to control the rising coronavirus cases, health authorities in Sindh on Wednesday introduced mobile vaccination centres for the people of Karachi. Health authorities say 12 mobile hospital units have been converted into mobile vaccination centres. They added that drive-through teams have also been dispatched in the different places of Karachi to … Read more

UAE Flights: India, Pakistan, 4 Other Countries to be Exempted from Travel Restrictions

UAE Flights: India, Pakistan, 4 Other Countries to be Exempted from Restrictions

UAE has allowed the entry of travelers from six countries who have valid UAE residency permits and are fully vaccinated. #الطوارئ_والأزمات و #الطيران_المدني تعلنان عن استثناء فئات جديدة من المسافرين من بعض الدول التي تم منع القدوم منها والتي تشمل كلاً من الهند وباكستان وسيريلانكا والنيبال ونيجيريا وأوغندا وذلك اعتباراً من تاريخ 5 أغسطس.#يدا_بيد_نتعافى pic.twitter.com/NB2hEJdKzN … Read more

Target of One Million Vaccinations Achieved in One Day: Says Asad

Target of One Million Vaccinations Achieved in One Day: Says Asad

Federal Planning Minister Asad Umar on Tuesday announced that Pakistan has achieved the target of more than 1 million vaccinations within 24 hours as the country jabbed 1.72 million people on Monday. National Command and Control Centre (NCOC) reports said. On his Twitter, Asad posted, “Happy to report that the target we had set for … Read more

Sindh Lockdown: Ban On Pillion Riding Lifted In Karachi

Sindh Lockdown: Ban On Pillion Riding Lifted In Karachi

The Sindh government lifted the ban on pillion riding in Karachi amidst strict COVID-19 lockdown that has begun from today. Police say that the lifting of the ban on pillion riding of motorcycles in the city will be implemented immediately. Sindh government spokesman Murtaza Wahab while addressing a press conference said that the ban on … Read more

Google Delays the Resumption of Workplace Activities as Delta Cases Skyrocket

In the wake of the current delta variant cases, Google has decided to put its activities on hold and delay reopening its headquarters due to the recent soar in Delta Variant cases. The leading tech giant has recently rolled out a policy which states that the office activities will be resumed from the mid of … Read more

Kuwait to receive vaccinated expats from August 1

Kuwait Suspends direct flights with India

KUWAIT CITY: Kuwait prepares to receive vaccinated expatriates from August 1, the Ministry of Health said Friday. Abdullah al Sanad, spokesman of the ministry, said in a press statement that Kuwait Airport will allow the return of fully vaccinated expats starting August 1 according to the decision of the government. The ministry’s team will check … Read more

Sindh Government’s Lockdown Is Not In Public Interest: Khurram Sher Zaman

Sindh Government's Lockdown Is Not In Public Interest: Khurram Sherzaman

PTI leader Khurram Sher Zaman has while rejecting the decision said that the lockdown of the Sindh government is not in the public interest. He said that he was well aware of the lockdown dramas of the Sindh government, adding that the Sindh government wanted to harm the business community. Khurram Sher Zaman said that … Read more

Sindh to go in complete lockdown till August 8

KARACHI: In the wake of the recent surge in the coronavirus cases, the Sindh government on Friday announced a complete lockdown from Saturday till August 8 across the province. According to a notification issued by the provincial authorities, both the government and private offices will remain closed, while anyone travelling will be required to carry … Read more

Small traders seek extension in business hours

Karachi: Traders Once Again Oppose Reduced Shop Timings

KARACHI: The Hyderabad Chamber of Small Traders and Small Industry (HCSTSCI) president Saleemuddin Qureshi has urged Prime Minister Imran Khan, National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC) chief Asad Umar and Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah to extend the business hours, as the existing timings are creating problems for the small traders. The policymakers … Read more

President Alvi urges masses to get vaccinated as positivity rate crosses 7%

President Alvi

President Arif Alvi on Monday asked people to ‘get serious’ as Covid positivity rate in the country spiked to 7.5 per cent following Eidul Azha holidays. Urging people to get vaccinated at earliest, the president said that the rising number of coronavirus cases was alarming in the country. “Get serious people of Pakistan. Cases have … Read more

Ireland to Open to Vaccinated British Citizens from July 19

Ireland to Open to Vaccinated British Citizens from July 19

Ireland becomes the first European country to allow fully vaccinated British citizens to visit the country without the need for any COVID-19 tests into or out of the country. The visitors who are fully vaccinated do not require to be isolated. Niall Gibbons, chief executive of Tourism Ireland, said: “We are pleased to confirm this … Read more

Global Vaccine Plan essential as coronavirus death toll tops 4 million: UN chief

Global Vaccine Plan

UNITED NATIONS: UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has emphasised the urgent need for the world to put a Global Vaccine Plan in place to get the coronavirus pandemic under control, as the death toll topped four million, a statement said on Thursday. Guterres said that the global death toll officially passed four million late Wednesday, marking … Read more

International Tourism Should Be Restarted by the Governments; UNWTO Urges

International Tourism Should Be Restarted by the Governments; UNWTO Urges

According to the latest data from the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), over the coming weeks and months, the global vaccination rollout and growing adoption of digital solutions for secure travel should result in an increase in the international movement. According to the latest report on Travel Restrictions Report from the agency, as of … Read more

Qatar Airways Adds COVID-19 Vaccination Authentication on IATA Travel Pass

Qatar Airways Adds COVID-19 Vaccination Authentication on IATA Travel Pass

Qatar Airways has become the first airline to trial COVID-19 vaccine authentication through the IATA Travel Pass ‘Digital Passport’ Mobile App. In a statement, the airline stated that it is committed to eliminating paperwork and giving its passengers a more convenient, secure, and smooth flying experience. “We know as more people begin making plans to … Read more

Thailand Opens its Resorts for International Tourists

Thailand Opens its Resorts for International Tourists

The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has confirmed that the island of Phuket has reopened for international tourists. It seems a step forward to restarting tourism in Thailand. Those tourists who are fully vaccinated can enjoy without going into quarantine period as part of the ‘Phuket Sandbox’ model. Details on the island of Koh Samui’s … Read more

NCOC: Partial Resumption Of Indoor Dining allowed for vaccinated individuals only

NCOC

In a statement on Monday, the National Command and Operations Centre (NCOC) said it has permitted restaurants to operate at 50% indoor capacity only for vaccinated people.

The NCOC said indoor and outdoor dining has now been allowed till 11:59 pm, while indoor dining would be at 50% occupancy only for vaccinated individuals.

The statement from the forum said the development came during an NCOC session with Minister for Planning Development and Special Initiatives, Asad Umar in the chair.

Several decisions were made after the forum had taken a detailed review of the current Covid-19 situation in the country. The decisions will be implemented from July 1-31, with a review taking place on July 27.

Restaurant and hotel management would institute a mechanism for checking of vaccination certificates of guests and will also ensure vaccination of respective management and staff, the NCOC said, adding takeaways will be allowed 24/7.

Essential services which include petrol pumps, pharmacies, medical facilities, vaccination centers, milk shops, tandoors, and takeaways are allowed to operate 24/7. However, the markets and business activities will continue till 10 pm.

Four hundred people have been allowed to attend outdoor marriages, while indoor marriages have been permitted for only vaccinated individuals, with a cap of 200 people.

Wedding halls association and managements will ensure vaccination of staff, and will also institute a mechanism for checking of vaccination certificates of guests, the NCOC said.

Shrines have also been allowed to reopen at the discretion of federating units and local administrations subject to strict adherence to Covid-19 SOPs.

Broader lockdowns with stringent enforcement protocols based on risk assessment would continue and the NCOC will regularly share heat maps with federating units for implementation of lockdowns, the statement said.

A ban has been imposed on all types of indoor and outdoor gatherings including cultural, musical, religious, miscellaneous events.

Continuation of normal working hours for public and private offices with 100% attendance.

Gyms will reopen for only vaccinated people, while it is mandatory for the facility’s staff members to get vaccinated as well.

The ban on contact sports — karate, boxing, martial arts, rugby, water polo, kabaddi, and wrestling — will remain in place.

During a weekly briefing after an NCOC meeting on June 5, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister (SAPM) on Health Dr. Faisal Sultan claimed that the third wave was subsiding as up to 55,000 tests per day were conducted during the week and the average national positivity ratio remained less than 4pc.

“This shows that the government’s lockdown and enforcement of standard operating procedures (SOPs), along with greater vaccine uptake and administration, has had an impact on the infection rate,” he had said.

Meanwhile, Pakistan reported less than 1,000 coronavirus cases for three days in a row till date. During the last 24 hours, 914 cases were reported in the country after 44,496 tests were conducted.

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California Became First US State To Lift Pandemic Restrictions

California Became First US State To Lift Pandemic Restrictions

California was the first state in the US to have imposed lockdown with strict restrictions 15 months ago. Recently on Tuesday, they celebrated the “reopening day” after almost all the restrictions were lifted. People who are vaccinated will enjoy the luxury of taking off their masks in the nation’s richest and most populous state. But … Read more

Ban Will Not Be Lifted Till All Citizens Are Vaccinated: SAMP On Health

SAPM Dr Faisal Briefs Regarding Vaccine Shortage In Country

Special Assistant to the Prime Minister for Health Dr Faisal Sultan has hinted that the ban will not be lifted till all citizens are vaccinated. In a statement, Dr Faisal Sultan said that Coronavirus has affected the health system of all countries, no single country can fight this epidemic alone, the whole world must unite … Read more

Corona Virus: Unfair global distribution of vaccines

equal distribution of vaccines

“Ending the pandemic is possible — and requires global action now,” the heads of the World Health Organization (WHO), World Bank, World Trade Organization (WTO), and International Monetary Fund (IMF) wrote in a jointly penned op-ed in a newspaper. The world and its developed nations aim to have vaccinated the majority of their adult population … Read more

Pakistan: COVID-19 Vaccine To Available For All Above 18 Years

Why are unvaccinated people still at risk of contracting COVID-19?

The government has decided to start scheduling vaccination of registered 18 plus from Thursday the 3rd of June. In a statement released on Twitter, Asad Omar, head of the NCOC and federal minister, said that vaccinations for people over the age of 18 would begin on June 3. “With this step, the vaccination of all … Read more

Pakistan COVID-19: Vaccine Registration For 30 -40 Years Opened

Pakistan COVID-19: Vaccine Registration For 30 -40 Years Opened

Pakistan will start a COVID-19 vaccination drive for people aged 30-40 from today, according to the National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC). According to the details, the NCOC has asked citizens between the ages of 30 and 40 to register for the CIVID-19 vaccine jab. “Register yourself by sending CNIC to 1166. On receiving SMS, … Read more

Pakistan COVID-19: Detailed Report On Side Effects Of Vaccine Released

Punjab Decides To Ensure Online Data Entry In Vaccination Centres

The Ministry of Health has released a detailed report on the side effects of the coronavirus vaccine in Pakistan. According to a report released by the Ministry of Health, only 4,329 out of 3.8 million coronavirus vaccines in Pakistan have been found to have adverse effects, with 35.7% of those affected having fever. According to … Read more

NCOC Announces To Open Up Vaccination For 30 years And Older

Pakistan to start COVID vaccination of children aged 12 years and older

Federal Minister for Planning, Development, Reforms and Special Initiatives Asad Umar has announced to open vaccination for 30 years and above. The Minister wrote on Twitter, “In today’s NCOC meeting it has been decided to open up vaccination for 30 years and older starting tomorrow. The messages for those who are being scheduled will go … Read more