Balochistan govt to suspend biometric verification at institutions amid covid-19 fears

Meeting reviews emergency steps to deal with COVID-19; screening at airports increased

QUETTA: Balochistan Chief Minister Jam Kamal Khan Alyani presided over a high-level meeting for an extensive review of affairs surrounding novel coronavirus, including precautionary and preventive measures in place and steps to shift pilgrims to their provinces.

The meeting also reviewed progress on provision of facilities to pilgrims returning from Taftan and Hazarganji, their screening and PCR tests.

Chief Secretary Balochistan, IG Police, additional chief secretary home, officials from the southern command, and secretaries of concerned government departments, DG Pakistan Disaster Management Authority (PDMA), commissioner and deputy commissioner Quetta, medical superintendents of hospitals and other officials attended were present on the occasion.

The meeting decided that in the wake of potential spread of coronavirus, measures for establishment of quarantine facilities, isolation wards and PCR tests will be taken on an emergency basis for which all resources will be put to use.

Health secretary informed the session that in phase one of the plan, the authorities were establishing 10-room and 50-bed wards at the Shaikh Zayed Hospital’s hostel while isolation wards were being established at Fatima Jinnah Chest and General Hospital for which essential medical equipment was being procured.

Isolation wards are also being established at medical facilities in Dalbadin, Chaman and Gwadar while 1500-bed quarantine facility will be arranged in Chaman. The meeting was informed that pilgrims have been provided accommodation at PCSIR laboratory with all facilities, including food, while the virus suspects are restricted to the establishment.

Briefing the session, PDMA DG said that prefabricated rooms are being built on an emergency basis which will be utilised as isolation units in case of need. The meeting stressed that precautionary measures were indispensable to contain coronavirus and a comprehensive public awareness campaign will be launched in this regard covering all public areas, including government and private institutions, hotels, hospitals, educational facilities and commercial spaces.

The authorities will ensure that the people comply to the precautionary measures while regular disinfectant sprays will be administered all public spaces.

The meeting decided to suspend mandatory biometric verification at all institutions for one month while the participants agreed to boost screening facilities at Quetta, Gwadar and Turbat airports through installation of more screening equipment and deployment of health department officials.

The meeting also resolved to add up capacity for PCR tests through support from the federal and provincial governments while it was also decided to establish 50-bed quarantine and isolation centers at public hospitals in all divisions and district headquarters for which instructions have been issued to all divisional and deputy commissioners as well as concerned health officials.

The meeting was informed that 3,300 pilgrims who had returned via Taftan border since February had been screened while 2,376 were quarantined, while those who had been found with symptoms of the virus also underwent PCR tests. The pilgrims are being screened twice every day.

PDMA has set up a temporary tent village for 2,500 people in which pilgrims are being provided food and medicines while doctors and paramedics from the armed forces have also been deployed at Taftan border while a medical battalion is also being stationed.

The meeting was further informed that the provincial health department has established four rapid response units to take spontaneous action in case of emergency.

The meeting also reviewed arrangements to shift pilgrims of other provinces to their hometowns.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 13^th, 2020.