Pakistan to start COVID-19 vaccination registration for people aged 30-39 on May 16
- 12 May 2021
Tariq Butt, Correspondent
Chairman of Pakistan's National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC) and Federal Minister Asad Umar said on Wednesday that the registration of coronavirus vaccination for citizens aged 30 to 39 will be open from Sunday (May 16). This is the first time that the age limit has been reduced to thirty years.
Umar said in a tweet that as vaccine supply continues to improve and vaccination capacity gets enhanced in all provinces, the government continues to expand the categories of those who are eligible to get vaccinated. "As vaccine supply continues to improve and vaccination capacity gets enhanced in all federating units, we continue to expand the categories of those who are eligible to get vaccinated," Umar said on Twitter. "Starting Sunday, the 16th of May, registration will be open to all 30 years and older citizens," the official added.
Pakistan also commenced the process of walk-in vaccination for the citizens aged 40 to 49 on Wednesday. The registered citizens will be able to walk into any COVID-19 vaccination centre of their choice and get vaccinated, the Xinhua news agency reported.
In order to stop the spread of the virus during Eid Al Fitr holidays, Pakistan has barred almost all businesses, hotels, parks, recreational spots and shopping malls, inter-provincial and inter-city public transport from operating from May 8 to 16, covering the Eid holidays from May 10 to 15 in the country.
The NCOC has approved strict guidelines and safety protocols for holding Eid Al Fitr prayers across the country. Eid prayers should be organised at open spaces with COVID-19 protocols. In case if there was a compulsion to offer Eid prayers in Masjid then windows and doors should be kept opened for good ventilation to reduce risk of infection and disease transmission.
However, in order to reduce gatherings two to three Eid prayers at a venue with staggered timings and minimum strength are held. The clerics and religious leaders are advised to keep the sermon brief in order to reduce the prayer timings as the virus spread was on rise. The guidelines discouraged the sick, elderly and children less than 15 years of age from attending the Eid prayers.
As per guidelines, wearing a face or surgical mask is mandatory. It is also necessary to erect multiple entry and exit points at prayer venues to avoid jumbling up of individuals and reduce risk of congestion.
The mosque management or authorities responsible for organising Eid prayers are directed to ensure thermal screening at entry points, availability and use of hand sanitisers and six feet social distancing markings at the venue.
The worshipers should bring their own prayer mats and also perform ablution at home. The safety protocols also underscored to discourage socialising or embracing and hand-shakes at the venue after prayers.
However, no gathering is allowed before and after the prayers usually observed after Eid prayers. Moreover, banners and panaflex highlighting Covid protocols should be displaced at the prominent places as part of awareness campaigns whereas well laid out parking areas should be prepared for crowd management.
In the wake of ongoing restrictions imposed till May 16, 2021, the NCOC urged for greater national resolve to strictly adhere to the standard operating procedures to control the spread of pandemic. It urged the nation to stand united and firm to support these steps undertaken for its wellbeing.