Pakistan at risk of encountering new COVID-19 variant from China: NCOC

 

China's decision to dismantle its "zero-COVID" regime has put Pakistan at risk of a encountering a new COVID-19 variant, as the neighbouring country lifted its lockdown and travel curbs, the National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC) said Saturday.

The NCOC said that the new variant may enter Pakistan after the ease in the coronavirus-related restrictions in China, which went through an abrupt shift in policies.

NCOC says there is a risk that new COVID-19 variant enters Pakistan after China's decision to lift lockdown and travel curbs

By Amina Amir & Web DeskDecember 24, 2022

Masked citizens pass through a crowded street in Pakistan. — AFP/File

Masked citizens pass through a crowded street in Pakistan. — AFP/File

China's decision to dismantle its "zero-COVID" regime has put Pakistan at risk of a encountering a new COVID-19 variant, as the neighbouring country lifted its lockdown and travel curbs, the National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC) said Saturday.

The NCOC said that the new variant may enter Pakistan after the ease in the coronavirus-related restrictions in China, which went through an abrupt shift in policies.

The country loosened its rules to curb the increasing COVID-19 cases since the pandemic began three years ago after protests broke out against its tough restrictions.

But officials from the NCOC said that Pakistan is fully prepared to control the new variant. They said that the country has dealt with the COVID variants in the past in a timely manner.

They said that there is a low risk due to the COVID-19 vaccine, adding that the vaccination of 90% of the eligible population in Pakistan has been completed.

The officials also said that about 95% of the population has received at least one dose of the vaccine.