Zubair Qureshi
Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on National Security Dr Moeed Yusuf on Wednesday said in Pakistan fatality rate due to coronavirus was far lower as compared to the rest of the world.
“It is 2.1 per cent which is far less compared to the worldwide rate,” said Dr Moeed while addressing a press conference.
He said that 70 percent of those who died of coronavirus in Pakistan had underlying health conditions.
“Our testing capacity has increased we have conducted 8,530 tests in the last 24 hours. That has been our strategy too, to increase the testing capacity and gradually move towards smart lockdown,” he further said.
The SAPM added that the government’s entire focus now was to ensure that standard operating procedures (SOPs) were followed everywhere including mosques and markets.
About those Pakistanis who are returning from Middle East and other regions and leaving for their homes after spending two days at the government-run quarantine centres, Dr Moeed Yusuf clarified the two-day mandatory quarantine period for citizens returning to the country did not mean that they would necessarily be allowed to go home afterwards.
He said that every passenger coming to Pakistan would be required to stay at a quarantine facility for two days however, he stressed the tests were conducted after 48 hours have passed.
While explaining the quarantine policy, he said that it can take up to one or one-and-a-half days or even 3-4 days until test results come back depending on provincial capacity and pressure. “After the test result comes back, we will decide whether the person will remain under quarantine, be taken to a hospital or sent home with self-isolation guidelines.
“I understand people are agitated but as you know most new cases are asymptomatic now so you have to cooperate with the government,” he said. He added that the procedures had been made after advice from health experts and administrative authorities.
“You have waited patiently for a long time outside Pakistan, we request you to cooperate with the authorities when you’re back here. These [procedures] are only for the protection of you and your loved ones.”
In some cases, he noted, a traveller’s test is negative, but many other people test positive on their flight; in such a situation it depends on provincial authorities if they want to keep such persons (who test negative) quarantined for an extra period.
He added that the government had granted permission to some airlines to operate commercial flights from Pakistan especially to countries where PIA does not have access, such as the United States, Australia and Africa.
He urged the Pakistanis stranded abroad to register with the embassies and high commissions or consulate offices in their country of residence, saying the foreign missions were deciding whom to prioritise for repatriation.
