Chaman border to remain closed for 7 days.
Staff Reporter
Islamabad
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has expressed confidence in the way the Pakistani government is treating the coronavirus patients as per standardised clinical protocols.
The health agency also announced that it is stepping up provision of immediate support to the government so that preparedness and response measures are in place to handle the situation as it develops. “I am impressed by the swift and diligent way the government has handled the crisis so far, and WHO is committed to support them every step of the way,” said Representative of the WHO in Pakistan, Dr Palitha Mahipala.
Meanwhile, Pakistan will close Chaman border with Afghanistan from today in wake of the coronavirus outbreak in the region and will remain closed for seven days “in order to prevent the spread of coronavirus on both sides of the border in the best interest of the people of the brotherly countries”, said a notification issued by the Ministry of Interior on Saturday.
“During the period, necessary measures will be taken to safeguard the health of the people of both the countries,” it added.
The move comes after Kabul confirmed its first case of the coronavirus on Monday with several others being tested for the diseases. Ferozuddin Feroz, the minister of public health, told a press conference one of three suspected cases had been confirmed in the Western province of Herat.
In addition to the border closure, strict precautionary measures have also been put in place in border areas to stop the spread, including the establishment of an isolation ward at DHQ Hospital Parachinar.
Moreover, screening at the Bab-e-Dosti border crossing in Chaman is underway.
Medical checkpoints have also been set up at Torkham border for those coming into the country from Afgahnistan’s Nangarhar province.
