Fears about coronavirus

TURBAT: Globally more than 80,000 people in nearly 50 countries have been infected and nearly 2,800 have died of the fatal infection called coronavirus. The countries where the infection has reached have closed schools, colleges and universities to keep their citizens safe from the dangerous virus and prevent its spread. National economies are going down as international markets are fluctuating. Saudi Arabia has stopped foreign pilgrims from entering the country.

It is clear that if Hajj pilgrimage begins in July, the cases of spreading will be extremely high and it could be a grave threat to the world.

Recently, Pakistan has also been affected and so far two cases have been reported — one from Karachi and the other in Islamabad. The virus has reached Pakistan from neighbouring Iran.

Pakistan has already taken several steps to contain the spread of the virus, like setting up quarantine zones and blocking flights to Iran. Schools, colleges and other educational institutions remained closed for two days before the weekend in Sindh. And in Quetta, which is at graver risk for being in proximity with Iran, educational institutions will remain closed till March 15.

But the authorities in Pakistan need to regulate its transport to neighbouring countries even further as many people have been exporting and importing oil from those roads.

I urge the Government of Pakistan to take whatever steps needed to stop the spread of the virus.

Inayat Barkat

Published in The Express Tribune, March 2^nd, 2020.

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