Iran border temporarily opened as govt seeks to dispel viral fears

300 pilgrims allowed to return to Pakistan, symptomatic travellers to be quarantined

KARACHI: As health officials sought to dispel viral scare following the confirmation of two novel coronavirus cases in Pakistan, the government decided to temporarily reopen its border with Iran to allow pilgrims stuck in the Islamic Republic to return home – but not without “full health screening”.

Liaquat Shahwani, the spokesperson for the Balochistan government, confirmed the Taftan border crossing has been reopened for one-way traffic. “Some 350 Pakistanis have been allowed to enter the country,” he wrote on his Twitter handle.

پاک ایران بارڈر پر موجود 350 پاکستانی شہریوں کو پاکستان میں داخلے کی اجازت مل گئی۔
وہ افراد جو ایران کے کرونا وائرس سے متاثرہ علاقوں سے آئے ہیں۔ انھیں دس روز قرطینہ میں رکھا جائیگا اور دیگر کی صرف اسکریننگ کے بعد کرونا کے علامات نہ ہونے کی صورت میں جانے کی اجازت دیدی جائیگی

— Liaquat Shahwani (@LiaquatShahwani) February 28, 2020

“The people travelling from the Iranian cities affected by the viral outbreak would be quarantined for 10 days, while others would be subjected to health screening and allowed to go home if they are asymptomatic,” he added. “No one would be allowed to cross over without full health screening.”

Najibullah Qambrani, the assistant commissioner of Taftan, also confirmed the development. “Anyone suspected to have been infected would be shifted to the isolation wards set up at Pakistan House, while all travellers would be comprehensively screened for the virus,” he told The Express Tribune.

The Pakistan-Iran border was sealed at five points in Taftan, Gwadar, Turbat, Panjgur and Washuk on February 24 after the Islamic Republic confirmed an upsurge in coronavirus cases – and deaths from the deadly contagion. Activities at the Taftan border crossing have remained at a standstill since then.

Three days after the border closure, the government also suspended flight operations to Iran after two pilgrims returning from Iran were tested positive for the mysterious virus, medically named COVID-19.

State Minister for Health Dr Zafar Mirza, who visited the Taftan border crossing on Friday to review the situation, took to the popular micro-blogging site to announce “the plan” for gradual repatriation of the Pakistani pilgrims from Iran.

“Over the next few days we will gradually allow Pakistani Zaireens returning from Iran in batches after full health screening,” he wrote on Twitter. “The point of entry is being strengthened. Thanks to all for the hard work.”

226/ At Taftan-Zahdan border. Reviewed the situation and now we have a plan! Over next few days we will gradually allow Pakistani Zaireens returning from Iran in batches after full health screening. Point of entry is being strengthened. Thanks to all for the hard work! pic.twitter.com/ZhaqwX0s6Y

— Zafar Mirza (@zfrmrza) February 28, 2020

The decision to temporarily reopen the border crossing came after several videos went viral on social media platforms in which stranded Pakistani pilgrims appealed to the government to evacuate them, saying they were running out of money.



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These pilgrims were forced to leave the Iranian territory and were stranded in an area between the Pakistan-Iran borders.

Before travelling to Taftan, Dr Mirza met with Balochistan Chief Minister Jam Kamal in Quetta where he acknowledged his team’s efforts to effectively address the COVID-19 threat. “A lot is being done in Balochistan – much more needs to be done,” he said.

225/ Spent time in Quetta with dynamic Cheif Minister Jam Kamal and his dedicated team and reviewed preparations to effectively address #COVIDー19. A lot is being done in Baluchistan - much more needs to be done. pic.twitter.com/z6sFcqow2G

— Zafar Mirza (@zfrmrza) February 28, 2020

Coronavirus patients stable

The state minister for health also shared updates on the health of the two coronavirus patients while calling upon people not to panic as things are under control. “Both patients of COVID-19 are stable and improving,” he wrote on Twitter. “Contacts traced until now and tested are all negative, Alhamdililah,” he added.

224/ Both patients of #COVIDー19 are stable and improving. Contacts traced until now and tested are all negative, Alhamdililah

— Zafar Mirza (@zfrmrza) February 27, 2020

In medical terms, a “contact” is a person exposed to a contagious disease through close association with an infected individual.

Karachi’s Dow University Hospital said they received 20 suspected COVID1-19 cases on Thursday. Of them, four were family members of the Karachi patients. “Fourteen of them were asymptomatic – and were subsequently discharged with instructions for home quarantine,” the hospital administration said in an update.

“Of the remaining six, four are the family members of the case index patients and are symptomatic. All 14 labs tests conducted today were negative. It includes the father, mother and sister of the case index patient,” it said, adding that “currently, no positive case has been identified”, so there was no need to panic.

Dr Mirza, meanwhile, also appealed to people to report at helpline1166 about individuals who have recently returned from China, Iran or any country where novel coronavirus is prevalent and are showing symptoms like fever, cough and difficulty in breathing.

On Thursday, a six-member team of the Sindh Health Department reached the Karachi neighbourhood where one of the two patients lives to carry out medical screening of the residents. “The team will only deal with those who have coronavirus-like symptoms,” said Atif Vighio, the spokesperson for the Sindh Health Department.

(With additional reporting by Tufail Ahmed in Karachi)