Special Assistant to Prime Minister on Health Dr Zafar Mirza Monday said government has extended its emergency coronavirus measures that include travel restrictions and a ban on public gatherings to the entire country.
During an interaction with reporters here, he said there is no immediate need to lockdown cities in the country as situation related to coronavirus is still under control. He said the current preventive measures adopted by his ministry are sufficient to control the spread of coronavirus in Pakistan, adding that the precautionary measures would be tightened up if the situation turns serious.
Under the new emergency measures, all recreational and sporting events have been cancelled or postponed, while public places like restaurants and parks have been ordered to shut until the situation gets stable. He further advised public to adopt safety measures as suggested by health experts to remain safe from the contagion.
Mirza urged upon media to put its share of creating mass scale public awareness about coronavirus. “Government of Pakistan is completely prepared to fight the challenge as the country has made timely and appropriate arrangements which helped stopped the spread of virus in the country. Pakistan is the last country which was affected by the virus in this region,” he said.
Mirza said it is not only the responsibility of health ministry but every individual is responsible for safety, adding that the government has launched a comprehensive awareness campaign and people should have to follow the guidelines. He said the ministry has deputed manpower at all the entry and exit points in Pakistan and the screening of travellers is being carried out at airports and seaports through thermal screening. He further said that foreign flights are restricted to operate only in major cities including Lahore, Karachi and Islamabad as aerial operations will remain suspended at other airports.
Mirza said any person who has symptoms of coronavirus should contact 116 helpline as ministry of health has activated a nationwide public hotline for citizens needing guidance regarding coronavirus. He advised people to keep proper distance from infected people and use masks while sneezing or coughing.
Replying a question, SAPM Zafar Mirza entailed that he has emphatically demanded for an end to the lockdown in Indian-held Kashmir in the presence of Indian Prime Minister Modi. “In view of the health emergency it is imperative that all the restrictions in the disputed territory (Kashmir) must be lifted immediately, opening up communication and movement would facilitate dissemination of information, allow distribution of medical supplies and enable containment and relief efforts to proceed unimpeded,” he again demanded.
Replying to another question, he said different hospitals in Punjab have been equipped with coronavirus testing and prevention kits and the cases being reported from Pakistan’s most populated province are being looked at and treated thoroughly.
