All provinces reported new circumstances of the viral illness: Sindh has 396 circumstances, Punjab has 137, whereas Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa have 104 and 27 circumstances, respectively. Islamabad has reported 10 circumstances to date, whereas Azad Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan has 56 circumstances.
Within the wake of the rising circumstances, the 2 main political events, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and Pakistan Individuals’s Celebration (PPP), and different civil society segments, together with lead economist Atif A Mian, have urged the federal government to impose an entire lockdown within the nation earlier than the state of affairs goes out of hand.
As well as, the Sindh authorities has hinted at whole lockdown of the province to include the virus, with its spokesperson Murtaza Wahab saying that point has come to make “tough decisions”, whereas the Punjab and Balochistan governments have additionally opted for partial lockdown within the provinces for 2 and 21 days, respectively.
Based on sources, the choice to impose an entire lockdown in Sindh with impact from Sunday was taken after CM Murad Ali Shah mentioned “several options with Governor Imran Ismail, Karachi corps commander, Sindh Rangers DG and Sindh IGP in a meeting to ensure full implementation of the government’s decision of keeping people at their homes”.
“Time for some tough decisions. CM Sindh has discussed with Governor Sindh, Corps Commander Khi, DG Rangers & IG Sindh to ensure full implementation of Govt’s decision of keeping people at their homes. #SindhGovt will ensure that grocery & medical shops remain open,” Murtaza Wahab, Sindh authorities spokesperson, wrote.
‘FLIGHTS SUSPENDED’:
This adopted an earlier announcement by the federal authorities that it could droop all worldwide flight operations for 2 weeks as a part of measures to include the potential unfold of coronavirus within the nation. Nevertheless, 5 flights of Pakistan Worldwide Airways (PIA) have been allowed to land within the nation.
The flights which have been permitted to land in Pakistan embody PK-792 (Birmingham – Islamabad), PK 702 (Manchester – Islamabad), PK-786 (London – Islamabad), PK788 (London – Karachi) and PK-722 (Oslo – Islamabad).
Addressing a press convention within the federal capital, Particular Assistant to the Prime Minister on Nationwide Safety Division Dr Moeed Yousaf stated that the restriction on flights shall be efficient from eight pm on Saturday and to April 4.
He, nevertheless, stated that flights carrying diplomats and cargo ships will proceed their operations throughout this era.
Talking on the event, Particular Assistant on Nationwide Well being Companies Dr Zafar Mirza stated that the federal government has determined to chalk out a mechanism for sharing and exchanging data between federal and provincial governments concerning the coronavirus pandemic.
The PM’s aide additionally appealed to the nation to follow social distancing on a protracted weekend to keep away from transmission coronavirus.
“I am very hopeful, if we practice social distancing, we will be able to control the pandemic,” he stated, including that the Nationwide Coordination Committee (NCC) was constituted to gather knowledge and temporary the nation concerning the nationwide emergency.
Secondly, the NCC will ship the messages by way of media on consciousness and authorities’s motion to forestall the transmission of the virus in addition to to strengthen coordination between the provinces and the federal authorities, he stated.
Thirdly, the aim of constituting a committee was concerning the procurement of masks, ventilators, protecting gear to boost the capability to battle the virus, he added.
“Protection of our frontline doctors treating infected people was government’s foremost priority,” Dr Mirza stated, including the NCC would ship a univocal message to the nation utilizing data know-how.
He stated that coronavirus has reached 186 nations and has affected 0.27 million individuals whereas, 11,431 individuals have died due to the an infection, however 92,000 utterly recovered– which supplies hope.
He stated that in Pakistan three individuals have died due to the virus and to date 5 individuals have recovered from the illness and lots of extra would recuperate within the coming days. Mirza stated that 13,991 individuals in any respect entry factors had been scanned within the final 24 hours and 1.Four million individuals have been screened to date at entry factors.
He stated in between February 28 to March 17, 6,304 individuals entered in Pakistan from Iran out which 2,421 arrived in Balochistan, 176 individuals arrived in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), 2,012 arrived in Punjab, 1,059 arrived in Sindh, 14 arrived in AJK and 523 arrived in Gilgit Baltistan (GB).
“It was decided to quarantine all returning citizens from Iran at Taftan and now the provinces were doing it again,” the SAPM stated, including that 3,378 individuals had been spending time in quarantine services in several provinces.
He stated that authorities of Pakistan has established 14 labs to date in all 4 provinces for testing coronavirus and extra labs can be established quickly.
In his remarks, NDMA Chairman Lieutenant Normal Muhammad Afzal expressed confidence that nation and civil and army management would win battle towards COVID-19 by way of joint efforts. He stated that 20,000 testing kits have arrived from China and had been handed over to the Nationwide Institute of Well being (NIH). He stated that China will present 100 ventilators to Pakistan within the coming days.
ADB, WB APPROVE $538M:
Particular Assistant to the Prime Minister on Info and Broadcasting Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan stated that the World Financial institution has permitted a $238 million grant to assist Pakistan’s efforts towards the coronavirus whereas the Asian Growth Financial institution (ADB) has additionally permitted a grant of $350 million for a similar trigger.
Taking to Twitter, Dr Firdous implored the nation to strictly comply with precautionary measures towards the fast-spreading coronavirus. She added that such challenges are tackled by the governments and countrymen collectively.
RAILWAYS SUSPENDS 42 TRAINS:
Federal Minister for Railways Sheikh Rasheed Ahmed on Saturday introduced the suspension of 42 trains by April 1 as a safety measure to limit the transmission of coronavirus.
Addressing media, the minister stated that 12 trains (6-up+down) shall be suspended from Sunday night whereas 22 trains (11-up+down) shall be suspended from the Tuesday morning and the opposite eight trains (4-up+down) shall be suspended on April 1.
Khushhal Categorical, Akber Categorical, Sindh Categorical, Ravi Categorical, Shah Latif and Rohi Categorical, (6-up+6 down) shall be closed from Sunday night whereas Jinnah Categorical, Bolan Categorical, Moinjo Daro Categorical, Thal Categorical, Marvi Categorical, Samman Shakir Categorical, Faisalabad Categorical, Mosa Pak Categorical, and Channab Categorical shall be suspended on March 25, he added.
Requires lockdown as corona circumstances cross 700
