Coronavirus situation under control, says CM Buzdar

Institutions are told to teach students virus protection

LAHORE: Punjab Chief Minister Sardar Usman Buzdar has said that there is an outbreak of coronavirus in the country but the situation is normal in Punjab.

The chief minister maintained that all the precautionary and preventive measures for coronavirus have been taken and there is nothing to worry about.

He said that people should ignore rumours. “People attached to the medical profession should play their due role for creating awareness among the masses about coronavirus,” said Buzdar.

He remarked that all segments of society will have to play their due role in this regard. Buzdar said that instructions have been issued to the health department and institutions concerned for the complete implementation of standard operating procedures (SOPs) formulated in this regard. He directed the health department and other institutions to remain alert round the clock. He further said that the government has strictly implemented its manifesto and is fully focused on the fulfillment of its promises.

He said that the obsolete system of the past has ruined the national institutions. “The government is cleaning the corruption of decades,” said the CM.

He maintained that past rulers indulged in corruption rather than paying attention to national progress and prosperity. “Politics of those who looted national exchequer has come to an end,” he said.

Meanwhile directives have been issued by the Health and School Education Departments to educational institutions across the province to implement preventive measures to avoid the spread of coronavirus.

Details obtained by The Express Tribune show that teachers in charge will give lectures in classrooms and in the morning assembly, on a daily basis, in schools across the province. The teachers have been instructed to encourage students to come to school wearing well-washed clothes. In case of coughing and sneezing, students must cover the face and nose with a tissue or sleeve instead of using hands.

Clean towels and soap must be used to prevent the spread of germs. Students with symptoms including watery eyes, running nose and other diseases should be monitored and teachers are instructed to contact the parents so that the symptoms can be identified in a timely manner.

School administrations should instruct students not to shake hands or hug each other.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 1^st, 2020.