K-P releases Rs0.5b to fight coronavirus

At least 20 Iran-returned pilgrims sent to quarantine centre in DI Khan

PESHAWAR: Even though no confirmed cases of the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) have been reported from the province, the provincial government on Sunday said that it has released Rs0.5 billion in emergency funds to procure essential equipment to tackle the outbreak of the contagious disease in the province.

This is in addition to the Rs100 million which the provincial government had released on March 3.

Adviser to Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) Chief Minister Ajmal Wazir on Sunday said that the funds are aimed at fighting the virus.

Speaking to media officials at the K-P Civil Secretariat, Wazir said that coronavirus has emerged as a global challenge and not confined to Pakistan alone. He added that the provincial government is aware of its responsibilities and has swiftly taken measures to contain the spread of COVID-19 before it becomes an epidemic in the province.

The provincial adviser said the K-P cabinet, in a recent meeting, had taken several decisions to relax the rules and regulations for procuring the necessary medical equipment on an urgent basis to counter the coronavirus. He further assured that all cabinet decisions to contain the coronavirus will be implemented in letter and spirit and advised the public not to panic.

Wazir, however, urged the public to take all preventive measures listed by the government and health experts against the disease. The provincial adviser reiterated that social, political gatherings have been banned while district administrations have been empowered to take measures wherever required to fight against the coronavirus.

However, he said that the government will not close down public establishments such as shopping malls and markets but steps will be taken keeping in view the gravity of the situation. Moreover, he said that the provincial government has already set up a task force, which is headed by the chief minister, to monitor efforts against COVID-19.

Detailing the measures taken at health centres, Wazir said as many as 1,200 isolation wards have been set up across the province. Furthermore, health workers have been stationed at airport to screen incoming passengers for symptoms of the virus. In this regard, he said that tests of at least 36 suspected coronavirus patients have been conducted out of which 27 had tested negative while results for the remaining nine are awaited.

In response to a question, Wazir said that they had completed screening of all Chinese nationals working in the province. Locals working alongside these Chinese nations have also been screened, he said.

Iran-returned pilgrims quarantined                                        

As many as 20 pilgrims, who arrived in Dera Ismail Khan from Iran on Sunday, have been sent to a quarantine centre in the district to serve the 15 day incubation period. Coronavirus Prevention Focal Person in DI Khan Dr Majid Saleem told The Express Tribune that the pilgrims were sent to the quarantine centre after their travel history was checked.

He added that they will be allowed to go home once results of their tests for COVID-19 are received.

The provincial health department and the district administration have also set up quarantine centres at different border crossings with Afghanistan, including Torkham, Angoor Adda and Ghulam Khan. Meanwhile, DI Khan district administration has imposed Section 144 and banned public gatherings within the limits of the city.

A notification issued by DI Khan deputy commissioner’s office read that due to a possible outbreak of coronavirus in the province, musical events, political gatherings, and religious congregations have been banned until further notice.

Jashan-e-Nawruz

The district administrations in Kurram and Kohat have imposed a ban on celebrating the Persian new year, Nawruz, scheduled to be marked on Saturday, March 21.

 

Published in The Express Tribune, March 16^th, 2020.