ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan government on Wednesday granted a six-month tax exemption on the import of oxygen gas and allied equipment as the country battles a third wave of the coronavirus, with the number of patients requiring oxygen rising to 5,211 for the first time since the pandemic began last February. 

Pakistan registered 4,113 new cases and 119 deaths during the last 24 hours, according to official data. 

The government says it has enhanced oxygen production capacity from 484 metric tons in June last year to 792 metric tons today, and added 7,000 oxygen beds and 7,000 beds with ventilators to the health system over the last 12 months. 

On Wednesday, the country’s top economic body, the Economic Coordination Committee of the cabinet, approved a summary moved by the Ministry of Industries and Production regarding the exemption of duties and taxes on the import of oxygen gas, cylinders and cryogenic tanks by oxygen concentrators, generators and manufacturing plants for a period of 180 days.

The government said the tax exemptions would help “cope with the increased requirement of oxygen during the third wave of COVID-19 in the country.” 

On Wednesday, the government in Punjab also announced a complete lockdown in the province from May 8 along with the closure of public transport and tourist spots to limit public movement in the run up to the Eid Al-Fitr holiday later this month. 

“Checkpoints will be set up on entry and exit points of the cities and police, [paramilitary] Rangers and army troops will be deployed on these points to check movement of the people,” a handout from the office of the chief secretary Punjab said. 

Punjab health minister Dr. Yasmin Rashid urged the public to follow health guidelines, saying the next 15 to 20 days were “crucial” in the fight against the pandemic: “Be a responsible citizen by implementing precautionary measures.”