ISLAMABAD: Minister for Planning and Development Asad Umar has said the government is promptly taking decisions to procure the Anti Covid vaccine.

Briefing the media persons in Islamabad on Tuesday, he said talks are being held with a Chinese company for the procurement of the vaccine.

The Minister said initially the vaccine will be administered to the healthcare staff which will be followed by other people.

The Minister for Planning said the government's timely decisions and the responsibility demonstrated by the masses have greatly contributed to check the spread of the contagion in the country.  

Asad Umar appealed the people to continue to follow the precautionary measures to avoid the devastation caused by the virus in the US and other western countries.

Asad Umar said the government opted for a smart lockdown policy in the wake of first wave of Covid-19 to protect the lives and livelihoods. He said the complete lockdown policy adopted by some of the regional countries added to their economies woes. He said the government's handling of Covid-19was appreciated by several world institutions including the World Health Organization and World Economic Forum.