Pakistan's Cabinet has approved highly expensive prices recommended by the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP) for COVID-19 vaccines which are imported by private companies, media reports said.

According to the sources, the price for Russia's Sputnik V vaccine has been fixed at Rs 8,449 for two doses and for China's CanSino Biologics vaccine at Rs4,225 per jab, reports Geo News.

The Cabinet approved the sale prices of both coronavirus vaccines through a summary circulation, the Pakistani news channel reported.

Pakistan has further tightened restrictions in major cities with high positivity rates in a bid to control the spread of the Covid-19 virus as the country reported more than 3000 infections on the fifth straight day.

“It has been decided to increase restrictions on activities contributing to a sharp increase in the positivity rate,” Asad Omar, Pakistan’s Planning and Development Minister, was quoted as saying by Dawn. He also heads the National Command and Operation Centre, the body responsible for tackling the Covid crisis in Pakistan.

In recent weeks, major cities like Peshwar, Swat, Faisalabad, Muzaffarabad, Lahore, and Multan reported very high positivity rates.

The government was alarmed over the current situation country, and expressed its “grave concern”. They decided to introduce “high impact interventions.” In the meeting, it was decided to tighten restrictions in the cities reporting positivity rate over 8 percent in the last three days.

Closure of indoor dining, imposing broader lockdowns, restricting gathering, banning all sports activities, are among several measures taken by the authority.

Last month directives allowing the openings of schools and educational institution have also been withdrawn as the cases started increasing.

(IBNS)