Punjab Government has decided to allow people travelling abroad urgently to take the second dose of Covishield vaccine without waiting for the mandatory
84 days.
The relaxation for the administration of the second dose of Covishield has also been extended to the foreign nationals needing to return to their countries, said the state Health and Family Welfare Minister Balbir Singh Sidhu on Thursday. For availing this relaxation in inoculation, the people needing to travel abroad for “unavoidable” reasons may be asked to produce a copy of travel documents such as visas, confirmed tickets, and other documents justifying the urgency for undertaking the travel, said the Minister.
“The decision has been taken as a number of Punjabis travel abroad for the purpose of study or some other important reasons. International travel in this pandemic era is possible only with COVID related preconditions such as COVID negative test report or vaccination certificate. So, to ease out the difficulties being faced by the international travellers, the Government has relaxed the norms of COVID vaccination for the benefit of international travellers who have the compulsion to travel abroad,” said the Minister.
“The State Government has decided that dispensation of providing the second dose vaccination before a mandatory gap of 84 days after the first dose of Covishield is extended to all individuals who have to travel abroad for availing treatment services for any health problem, foreign nationals who have to return to their country, and circumstances in which such foreign travel may be unavoidable,” he said.
EVERY SUNDAY EARMARKED FOR 2nd COVID VACCINE DOSE AT GOVT VACCINATION CENTRES
In view of maximum people to be vaccinated with a second dose, the Punjab Government has earmarked every Sunday to administer a second dose at all COVID Vaccination Centres.
Sharing the information, the state Health and Family Welfare Minister Balbir Singh Sidhu on Thursday said that COVID vaccine supply to the State has been accelerated by efforts being made by the Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh. “However, coverage of COVID-19 vaccination or second dose due beneficiaries remains critical for successful impact of vaccination drive. So it has been decided to earmark every Sunday for the COVID vaccination session at all the Government Covid Vaccination Centres only for administering second dose among due beneficiaries,” said the Minister.
He said that normal vaccination sessions for the first and the second dose of vaccine will remain the same during the weekdays except for Sunday.
Speaking about the vaccination drive being carried out in the state, the Minister informed that by August 31, a total of 1,36,70,847 (1.36 crore) doses have been administered; and out of these, 32,89,210 (32.89 lakhs) have received both doses of vaccine and 1,03,81,637 (1.03 crores) have received their first dose of vaccine. The Minister also appealed to the public to get themselves vaccinated without any hesitation.
MAKES RT-PCR OR FULL VACCINATION must FOR ARRIVALS
Issuing new COVID guidelines, Punjab Government on Thursday made RT-PCR report or full vaccination certificate mandatory for entry in the State.
As per the new guidelines, people coming from other states, via road and flights, will have to carry an RT-PCR report not older than 72 hours or they should be fully vaccinated.
For gathering in social events, not more than 150 people in indoor functions and 300 in open spaces will be allowed.
These new guidelines will remain effective till September 15. Also, gyms, cinemas, restaurants are allowed to function with 50 percent capacity.