Govt clarifies no suspension of flight operations to China
No decision has been taken to suspend flights, says Dr Zafar Mirza
No decision has been taken to suspend flights, says Dr Zafar Mirza . PHOTO: FILE
The health ministry on Wednesday clarified that "flight operations to and from China continue as per normal routine".
Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Health Dr Zafar Mirza said that “no decision has been taken to suspend flights” to the coronavirus-hit country.
Earlier, it was reported that Pakistan had halted all passenger flights to and from China amid the coronavirus influx.
Passenger flights between the two neighbouring countries were suspended from January 31 to February 2 after the World Health Organisation (WHO) declared the novel coronavirus a global health emergency.
Though no confirmed case of the coronavirus – medically named 2019-nCoV – has been detected in Pakistan thus far, the government has taken a slew of preventive and precautionary measures.
'Proper planning' to tackle coronavirus completed: Dr Zafar Mirza
The novel coronavirus originated in a wet market of Wuhan city, in the central Chinese province of Hubei which has been put under quarantine in an attempt to prevent the proliferation of the highly infectious viral disease.
Dr Mirza said that the authorities, with the help of China, have completed proper planning to prevent an outbreak.
Referring to the suspected cases in Pakistan, he said seven individuals have been cleared and their tests have come back negative.
He also said that the government had defined SOPs at all the airports for the people arriving from China and intended to consult with the provinces on the matter. “Our teams will go into the provinces to ensure they are on the same page as the Centre.”
Reiterating the government’s decision not to repatriate Pakistani nationals from Wuhan – the epicenter of the virus – he said: “It is better for them to stay there to ensure they are monitored and treated.”
The earlier version of the story stated that the flights to and from China were suspended. The error is regretted.
Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Health Dr Zafar Mirza said that “no decision has been taken to suspend flights” to the coronavirus-hit country.
Earlier, it was reported that Pakistan had halted all passenger flights to and from China amid the coronavirus influx.
Passenger flights between the two neighbouring countries were suspended from January 31 to February 2 after the World Health Organisation (WHO) declared the novel coronavirus a global health emergency.
Though no confirmed case of the coronavirus – medically named 2019-nCoV – has been detected in Pakistan thus far, the government has taken a slew of preventive and precautionary measures.
'Proper planning' to tackle coronavirus completed: Dr Zafar Mirza
The novel coronavirus originated in a wet market of Wuhan city, in the central Chinese province of Hubei which has been put under quarantine in an attempt to prevent the proliferation of the highly infectious viral disease.
Dr Mirza said that the authorities, with the help of China, have completed proper planning to prevent an outbreak.
Referring to the suspected cases in Pakistan, he said seven individuals have been cleared and their tests have come back negative.
He also said that the government had defined SOPs at all the airports for the people arriving from China and intended to consult with the provinces on the matter. “Our teams will go into the provinces to ensure they are on the same page as the Centre.”
Reiterating the government’s decision not to repatriate Pakistani nationals from Wuhan – the epicenter of the virus – he said: “It is better for them to stay there to ensure they are monitored and treated.”
The earlier version of the story stated that the flights to and from China were suspended. The error is regretted.