KARACHI: Pakistan on Tuesday reported the lowest number of coronavirus cases since October, with a government portal showing 735 new infections were recorded in the last 24 hours, with 23 deaths.

The government on Monday announced easing wide-ranging coronavirus restrictions across the country of 220 million people as infection numbers showed a consistent downward trend. Pakistan has so far fully or partially vaccinated nearly 12 million people, mostly with the Chinese Sinopharm or Sinovac jabs.

“The country reported the lowest coronavirus cases in a single day since October 25, when 707 new cases of the infection were reported in a single day,” Geo News reported. The national positivity rate in now less than two percent.

On Monday, among the important changes to coronavirus rules which will come into effect from July 1, Pakistan’s pandemic response body, the National Command and Operation Center (NCOC), announced that indoor dining at restaurants would be allowed in the country once again, though at 50 percent occupancy and for vaccinated individuals only.

“Restaurants and hotels management will institute mechanism for checking of vaccination certificates of guests and will also ensure vaccination of respective management and staff,” the NCOC said in a statement. “Takeaways are allowed 24/7.”

It said outdoor marriage functions could be held with up to 400 guests while adhering to strict COVID-19 standard operating procedures (SOPs).

“Indoor marriages allowed only for vaccinated individuals with maximum guest limit of 200 x guests,” the statement said. “Wedding halls association / management will institute mechanism for checking of vaccination certificates of guests and will also ensure vaccination of respective management / staff.”

The government announced that provinces and local administrations could reopen shrines at their discretion with strict adherence to social distancing rules. Amusement parks, water sports and swimming pools could also continue activities at 50 percent capacity. All markets needed be closed one day a week, the government said, which would be decided by the respective provincial government.

Cinemas will also be allowed to reopen “with strict COVID protocols for vaccinated individuals only till 01:00 AM.”

But the government said a ban on all other types of indoor and outdoor gatherings including cultural, musical, religious and other miscellaneous events would continue. All contact sports and festivals were also still banned.

Public and private offices could, however, revert to normal working hours with 100 percent staff attendance, and indoor gyms could only entertain vaccinated members.

“Public transport is allowed to operate with 70 percent occupancy with strict COVID SOPs and mandatory wearing of masks,” the government said. “Rail services are allowed to operate with 70 percent occupancy with strict COVID SOPs and mandatory wearing of masks.”

“Compliance to compulsory mask wearing by all federating units while incorporating innovative measures for enforcement,” the NCOC said, adding that the policy of inbound airline travel to Pakistan would remain the same until further notice.

“These decisions will be implemented from 1st July to 31st July 2021 with review on 27th July 2021 at NCOC,” the statement added.