Islamabad/Lahore/Karachi – As variety of circumstances of COVID-19 pandemic has jumped to 28 within the nation as of Friday, a vital assembly of the Nationwide Safety Committee (NSC) chaired by Prime Minister Imran Khan took a number of choices to comprise additional unfold of the conoavirus.
The NSC assembly attended by the provincial chief ministers and the civilian and army management determined to shut all the academic establishments until 5 April, closure of borders with Iran and Afghanistan and banning all giant public gatherings.
Later in a media briefing, Particular Assistant to the Prime Minister on Well being Dr Zafar Mirza accompanied by Dr. Firdous Ashiq Awan and Moeed Yousuf clarified that each one the choices taken by the NSC are security centric.
Dr. Mirza whereas confirming that whole variety of circumstances of cornavirus as of Friday have been 28 mentioned that NSC has determined to observe a preventive technique to curtail unfold of the bug , due to this fact it was determined to shut Pakistan’s border with Afghanistan and Iran fully for 2 weeks.
He defined throughout this era, the system for screening and stopping additional infections from coming into the nation will probably be made stronger.
He mentioned the primary batch of pilgrims who’ve returned to the nation from Iran has left for provinces after finishing its 14-day quarantine interval on the Taftan border.
The main points of those pilgrims will probably be supplied to the provincial governments, which might take a look at or place the pilgrims beneath quarantine once more.
He mentioned {that a} high-level Nationwide Coordination Committee (NCC) to cease the unfold of killer bug within the nation has been constituted which can maintain its first assembly right now (Saturday) at four PM.
He mentioned the committee will comprise of ministers, chief ministers, surgeon common of Pakistan Military, and representatives of DG ISI, DG ISPR in addition to DG army operations. Well being Minister has been appointed its convener whereas federal well being secretary will carry out his duties as secretary.
It was determined throughout the assembly that solely three airports within the nation together with Karachi, Islamabad and Lahore will probably be allowed to function worldwide flights (arrivals and departures), a transfer meant to cut back the entry factors and guarantee higher preparations there.
Mirza mentioned all giant public gatherings will probably be banned, together with weddings and conferences, for a interval of two weeks. Cinemas may also be closed whereas all remaining Pakistan Tremendous League (PSL) 2020 matches will happen in empty stadiums.
The matter of whether or not non secular public gatherings needs to be banned has been referred to the non secular affairs minister and the chairman of the Council of Islamic Ideology.
They’ve been tasked with consulting with all stakeholders and provides their recommendation to the federal government based mostly on which a choice will probably be taken, Mirza mentioned.
He additionally clarified that each one the examinations whether or not carried out via the Federal Board or else have been banned until additional order.
He mentioned that The NSC additionally determined to provide the Nationwide Catastrophe Administration Authority (NDMA) the lead function in coping with the coronavirus risk which can additional coordinate with the PDMAs on the provincial degree.
Mirza mentioned the federal government may also request the chief justice to shut civil courts and adjourn circumstances for a interval of three weeks. Judicial magistrates and judges of session courts will probably be requested to resolve legal circumstances inside jails whereas relations of prisoners will be unable to fulfill them for 3 weeks in jails.
A media marketing campaign will probably be began to transient the general public relating to coronavirus prevention measures and a system will probably be established to forestall misinformation and relay details to the folks from a “central” supply.
Talking on the briefing, Particular Assistant to Prime Minister on Data and Broadcasting Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan mentioned authorities is dedicated to battle coronavirus pandemic within the nation.
The Particular Assistant mentioned Prime Minister allotted duties to all stakeholders and emphasised that every establishment ought to provide you with collective, unified nationwide response.
She additional mentioned that nationwide parade scheduled for March 23 at Islamabad has additionally been cancelled. She urged the media to play its constructive function in supporting the federal government technique.
Moeed Yousaf mentioned all the choices of the NSC are meant for the protection, including that in view of the rising risk of the bug at international degree Pakistan needed to evolve its nationwide response with utmost duty.
He additionally known as upon the folks to not panic in any given scenario and the federal government is alive sort out the rising risk.
OUR REPORTER FROM PESHAWAR ADDS: Meanwhie, the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa cupboard additionally determined to close all state-run and personal academic establishments for 15 days in view of the coronavirus danger.
After the cupboard assembly, the Chief Minister’s Advisor on Data Ajmal Wazir and KP Minister for Finance and Well being Taimur Salim Jhagra briefed media in regards to the cupboard choices.
Ajmal mentioned all colleges, faculties and universities in addition to hostels will stay closed whereas exams have been postponed.
He mentioned the prisons have been additionally being sealed and guests received’t be allowed to fulfill prisoners.
“The chief minister has also cancelled his public meetings and tourism activities including Dera festivals have also been postponed,” he mentioned.
GRANT APPROVED FOR HEALTH DEPT: On the event, Taimur Salim Jhagra mentioned that for the well being division, the cupboard had accepted to launch Rs500 million as quick grant, Rs2 billion as supplementary grant and Rs8 billion for long-term measures
Additionally, Punjab Chief Minister Sardar Usman Buzdar took essential choices to forestall unfold of coronavirus and to implement advance precautionary measures within the province.
The Chief Minister ordered that each one the personal and public academic establishments of the province together with colleges, faculties, medical faculties, technical and vocational institutes, and universities will stay closed for the following three weeks.
All of the exams to be held throughout subsequent three weeks have been postponed. All the schooling centres and seminaries will stay shut for the following three weeks.
Solely international college students of seminaries will probably be allowed to remain within the hostels. All marriage/banquet halls and marquees of the province will stay shut for the following three weeks and all of the non secular gathering and ceremonies have been postponed for the following three weeks. Jashan-e-Baharan and different festivals have been additionally cancelled for subsequent three weeks.
Equally, all the federal government and personal sports activities festivals have been postponed for the following three weeks. Ban has been imposed on assembly with prisoners in jails for the following three weeks.
Equally, ban has additionally been imposed to carry any type of public gathering for the following three weeks. Data division will prepare an efficient media marketing campaign with the session of Major Healthcare Division. PSL matches will probably be performed with out spectators. All of the involved departments will take efficient measures and issued guideline for the compliance of above talked about order. The Chief Minister’s orders enforcement will come to power with quick impact.
Sindh confirms yet one more coronavirus case
The well being authorities in Sindh on Friday confirmed yet one more coronavirus case within the province. The affirmation was made in a publish on social networking platform Twitter by the provincial Well being and Inhabitants Welfare Division.
“#Sindh Health Department has a new case of #CoronaVirusPakistan. The 52-year-old patient arrived from Islamabad 2 days ago & was tested positive today. This brings the total number of cases to 15 in Sindh, out of which 13 are in stable condition & 2 have been discharged,” the division mentioned.
On Thursday, a brand new coronavirus case had emerged in Skardu, Gilgit-Baltistan, well being division official Dr Shah Ramzan confirmed, bringing the nation’s whole variety of circumstances to 20. Based on the official, the 31-year-old had returned to Pakistan on February 25 after travelling to Iran. He famous that three circumstances of the virus have been reported in Gilgit-Baltistan up to now.
The constructive prognosis in Sindh Friday takes the variety of coronavirus circumstances in Pakistan to 28. Two folks examined constructive for the virus have recovered, whereas the remaining are beneath therapy.
