Twin cities caught in coronavirus storm
Awareness sessions held at Adiala jail, govt offices while guidelines issued for schools and officials
PHOTO: EXPRESS
ISLAMABAD:
The showers in the twin cities of Islamabad and Rawalpindi did little to quell the uneasiness surrounding the novel coronavirus (COVID-19).
With one of the two cases reported from the country confirmed in the federal capital, awareness sessions were held at government offices for the virus while circulars regarding precautions against the virus were plastered in courts and schools
Schools at risk
A circular issued by the Federal Directorate of Education (FDE) Director Asif Iqbal on Friday as asked heads of all the 423 educational institutions administered by the FDE in the Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) capital to spread awareness about the precautionary measures against the virus amongst their respective teaching and student bodies.
The circular included general guidelines against the virus, including the frequent washing of hands, particularly after a trip to the washroom. It further asked people to cover their faces while sneezing and coughing apart from avoiding close contact with anyone suffering from fever or flu.
Teaching and non-teaching staff along with students have been asked to dispose of used tissue papers properly, boil or cook eggs thoroughly before consuming them, avoid unnecessary travel if suffering from flu, stay away from animals, avoid spitting at public places, and to immediately contact a doctor if they start experiencing symptoms of cough and fever.
ICT bans biometric attendance, handshake
As coronavirus scare grips the country, many institutions have issued precautionary guidelines and asked people to be aware instead of panicking over hype and rumours around the viral disease.
The Islamabad Capital Territory Administration (ICTA) on Friday issued coronavirus advisory which bars employees from marking their attendance at offices through biometric systems.
Further, the advisory urges citizens to avoid crowded areas. Shaking hands has also been discouraged.
It has further been advised that individuals maintain a distance of at least two metres from those who are suffering from flu. Workers who operate in offices have been directed to use gloves to avoid infection.
RDA holds awareness meeting
With offices teeming with employees in compact spaces, the spread of the virus becomes easier. In this regard the Rawalpindi Development Authority (RDA), Water and Sanitation Agency (Wasa) and Parks and Horticulture Authority (PHA) arranged special training and lecture on the prevention of coronavirus.
Speaking on the session, Dr Khalid Randhawa stressed on the use of face mask to ensure full protection from the virus. He advised the people not to visit markets and crowded areas without a mask and wash hands with water and soap after every two hours.
Class in Adiala Jail
An epidemic outbreak in a prison is the worst nightmare of the jail administration, which has thousands of people cramped in closed quarters.
Because of the coronavirus outbreak, the Adiala Jail administration arranged an awareness campaign to educate the inmates on prevention and precautionary measures.
Published in The Express Tribune, February 29th, 2020.
The showers in the twin cities of Islamabad and Rawalpindi did little to quell the uneasiness surrounding the novel coronavirus (COVID-19).
With one of the two cases reported from the country confirmed in the federal capital, awareness sessions were held at government offices for the virus while circulars regarding precautions against the virus were plastered in courts and schools
Schools at risk
A circular issued by the Federal Directorate of Education (FDE) Director Asif Iqbal on Friday as asked heads of all the 423 educational institutions administered by the FDE in the Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) capital to spread awareness about the precautionary measures against the virus amongst their respective teaching and student bodies.
The circular included general guidelines against the virus, including the frequent washing of hands, particularly after a trip to the washroom. It further asked people to cover their faces while sneezing and coughing apart from avoiding close contact with anyone suffering from fever or flu.
Teaching and non-teaching staff along with students have been asked to dispose of used tissue papers properly, boil or cook eggs thoroughly before consuming them, avoid unnecessary travel if suffering from flu, stay away from animals, avoid spitting at public places, and to immediately contact a doctor if they start experiencing symptoms of cough and fever.
ICT bans biometric attendance, handshake
As coronavirus scare grips the country, many institutions have issued precautionary guidelines and asked people to be aware instead of panicking over hype and rumours around the viral disease.
The Islamabad Capital Territory Administration (ICTA) on Friday issued coronavirus advisory which bars employees from marking their attendance at offices through biometric systems.
Further, the advisory urges citizens to avoid crowded areas. Shaking hands has also been discouraged.
It has further been advised that individuals maintain a distance of at least two metres from those who are suffering from flu. Workers who operate in offices have been directed to use gloves to avoid infection.
RDA holds awareness meeting
With offices teeming with employees in compact spaces, the spread of the virus becomes easier. In this regard the Rawalpindi Development Authority (RDA), Water and Sanitation Agency (Wasa) and Parks and Horticulture Authority (PHA) arranged special training and lecture on the prevention of coronavirus.
Speaking on the session, Dr Khalid Randhawa stressed on the use of face mask to ensure full protection from the virus. He advised the people not to visit markets and crowded areas without a mask and wash hands with water and soap after every two hours.
Class in Adiala Jail
An epidemic outbreak in a prison is the worst nightmare of the jail administration, which has thousands of people cramped in closed quarters.
Because of the coronavirus outbreak, the Adiala Jail administration arranged an awareness campaign to educate the inmates on prevention and precautionary measures.
Published in The Express Tribune, February 29th, 2020.