Coronavirus pandemic leaves authorities, people unnerved in Punjab

Buzdar hands over his helicopter to health department for quick transfer of suspected patients

LAHORE: In wake of a surge in coronavirus cases and the following imposition of a health emergency across Pakistan, the provincial government has taken several steps to contain the pandemic.

Chief Minister Sardar Usman Buzdar has handed over his helicopter to the provincial health department for quick transfer of coronavirus patients to hospitals and swift delivery of equipment and medicines across Punjab.

Speaking to media persons on Saturday, Buzdar highlighted that the availability of the helicopter with the health department would help in the quick transfer of patients in case of any emergency. “The government will not show any laxity in taking precautionary measures against coronavirus,” the CM said.

“The helicopter is the asset of the people of Punjab and will be used for providing relief to them. Special wards have already been established in Lahore, Rawalpindi and Dera Ghazi Khan to deal with coronavirus emergency. The government has also provided resources to hospitals to tackle the coronavirus emergency,” he maintained.

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To avoid the risk of coronavirus infection among the prisoners, the chief minister has also announced a two-month remission in jail term.

Meanwhile, Punjab Governor Chaudhry Muhammad Sarwar said the opposition should not play politics over coronavirus and support the government institutions in this regard as tough times come in nations’ lives.

“Political, religious and all other parties will have to get united to defeat coronavirus. Political interference in any institution is out of the question and the rule of law and constitution will be ensured at any cost,” he underscored.

Talking to a delegation led by the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) Member Punjab Assembly Saeed Ahmed Saadi and local leader Chaudhry Ashfaq at the Governor House, Sarwar said the government was using all resources to tackle the coronavirus pandemic and all public sector institutions were put on alert to control the virus. “People’s protection is the responsibility of the state and the government will fulfil the same at all costs,” he remarked.

In addition to the government, he stressed that people from every walk of life must also play their role in creating awareness among the masses about the safety measures against coronavirus.

The governor said from the day first, the PTI government does not believe in politics of vengeance and is ensuring that all the institutions including NAB work independently and political interference in the institutions has been eliminated.

Punjab Chief Secretary Major (retd) Azam Suleman Khan also ordered all relevant departments and field officers that directions issued by the federal and Punjab governments regarding prevention of coronavirus be implemented immediately.

He issued these orders while presiding over an emergency meeting late on Friday.

Speaking at the meeting, the chief secretary said that protection of life and property of people is the prime responsibility of the government and no stone would be left unturned to fulfil this important responsibility. He asked the officers to work diligently for prevention of coronavirus, considering it a ‘national duty’.

The chief secretary issued instructions to the provincial departments to remain alert and keep close coordination with the federal government.

He directed all the field officers to ensure compliance with the Punjab government’s directions about the closure of all educational institutes and ban on all kind of gatherings for the next three weeks throughout the province. He also asked them to get implemented orders regarding the closure of all marriage halls, banquet halls, marquees, cancellation of all kind of religious congregations, ceremonies and public gatherings, and ban on meeting with prisoners in jails for three weeks across the province.

He said in the wake of impending coronavirus alert, all educational institutions including schools, colleges, medical colleges, technical and vocational institutions and universities, both public and private, be kept closed for three weeks and all examinations being conducted or to be conducted during the coming three weeks be cancelled. He said that all tuition centres and seminaries would also be closed and only foreign students may be allowed to reside in hostels of madaris. The PSL matches will be played without crowds, he added.

Addressing a news conference at the press club, PTI Central Punjab President Ejaz Ahmad Chaudhry said all 136 countries were under attack due to coronavirus. The government has set up isolation wards at all public hospitals. PTI has already initiated an awareness campaign under the leadership of Dr Asim Khan who highlighted precautionary measures and advised citizens to avoid public gatherings.

Meanwhile, to avoid the crowd at the one-window cell, the Lahore Development Authority (LDA) has shut down the operation of receiving new applications. The authority has announced a plan to keep applicants updated about their cases through the internet and asked citizens to visit one window cell collecting final documents.

People would be allowed to enter in the one-window cell after wearing a mask and using hand sanitiser. The authority has also suspended biometric attendance for its employees.

The authority has also closed down its six model schools for three weeks. The authority has also closed down its daycare centre and sports complex in Johar Town.

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Meanwhile, the Punjab Food Authority (PFA) has issued guidelines for its employees and the food industry on prevention of coronavirus. PFA Director General Irfan Nawaz Memon said the authority has directed industry and food points to display precautionary measure posters or charts at prominent places against the COVID-19. He said all offices should ensure cleanliness at the workplaces.

He requested people to avoid handshake and touching eyes, mouth and nose with unwashed hands. He said people should encourage respiratory etiquette, including covering coughs and sneezes with a handkerchief, tissue paper or elbow which is the best way to avoid the spread of cold and flu.

He further said people should use facemask upon the prescription of the doctor in case of cough or flu.

He also directed concerned officials to ensure the implementation of precautionary measures. He added that prevention is the best weapon to prevent coronavirus.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 15^th, 2020.