Pakistan reopens Iran border after 14 days amid coronavirus fear

Pilgrims and traders are now allowed to travel to and from the virus-hit country

TAFTAN: Pakistan reopened borders with Iran for trade activities on Saturday, 14 days after it was shut following a spike in cases of COVID-19 – the mysterious viral pneumonia-like disease caused by the novel coronavirus -- in the country.

The government had shut the Taftan border on February 23 as part of its precautionary measures to contain the spread of the mysterious virus which originated in a vet market of Hubei’s Wuhan city and has since then spread to more than 90 countries of the world, killing over 3,500 and infecting over 100,000, mostly in China thus far.

Iran has reported 21 new deaths from the novel coronavirus and 1,076 fresh cases in the past 24 hours, bringing the overall tolls to 145 dead and 5,823 infected.

The Islamic republic is battling one of the world’s deadliest outbreaks of the disease outside China, where it originated.

Iran reports 21 new coronavirus deaths, raising tally to 145

Pakistani pilgrims and traders were barred from traveling to and from Iran. Hundreds of pilgrims were called back to Quetta from the Taftan border and special check posts had been established to monitor their movement.

The security authorities have now confirmed that trade activities have begun at the Pak-Iran border after a gap of 14 days. According to local administration, movement of goods laden trucks and trailers has also started following the restoration of trade activities.

Passengers arriving in the country through Taftan border are kept in quarantine at Pakistan House, where the number of travellers has crossed 3,000. Some visitors have been shifted to Town Hall due to space constraints.

On the other hand, the border with Afghanistan at Chaman has also been closed for the last six days following confirmation of fresh coronavirus cases in the westerly neighbours. The two-sided transportation, therefore, remained suspended at Bab-e-Dosti.

The Federal Investigation Authority (FIA) has said the Pak-Afghan border at Chaman is likely to reopen on Sunday. Travellers entering the country will however be screened for coronavirus accordingly.