Borders closure extended for two weeks

By Muhammad YaseenPublished On 06 Jan 2023

ISLAMABAD: Special Assistant to Prime Minister on Health Dr Zafar Mirza has said the tally of confirmed coronavirus cases on Saturday rose to 1,500 with 12 deaths across the country, giving Pakistan a 0.8 per cent mortality rate that is lower than many other parts of the world including some developed countries.

However, the government announced that international departure of passenger planes would be decided on a case-to-case basis while extending the closure of borders and suspension of trade with India, Iran and Afghanistan for another fortnight due to the Covid-19 situation.

The government also devised a standard operating procedure (SOP) for conducting free of cost tests, considering a limited number of testing kits were available in the country though a cargo plane carrying 600 kits from China arrived at the Karachi airport on Saturday.

The announcements were made during a press conference addressed by Dr Mirza, SAPM on National Security Dr Moeed Yusuf and National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) Chairman Lt Gen Mohammad Afzal.

The PM’s aide on health said that the world reported more than 600,000 cases with around 28,000 deaths, Pakistan detected around 1,500 cases “though there are over 12,000 suspected cases in Pakistan. The mortality rate, in Pakistan, is [still] very low as compared to other countries. In China, 4.05pc patients died, in Iran 7.33pc patients and in Italy more than 10pc patients have died. In Pakistan, the mortality rate is 0.78pc,” he said.

Dr Mirza said there were limited kits in Pakistan so an SOP had been made to test the suspects of Covid-19. “Patients suffering with respiratory problem, who have travel history or stayed in company of confirmed cases, will be tested. Health professionals and others such as diabetics vulnerable to virus will be tested. Moreover, people in the area of disease outbreak and in quarantine will be tested,” he added.

About borders’ closure, Dr Yusuf said the National Security Committee on March 14 decided to close eastern and western borders for two weeks. “We have decided to extend it for two more weeks. Trade will remain suspended with Iran, Afghanistan and India, and Kartarpur Corridor will also remain closed. However, seaports will remain open for cargo. International flight operation will remain suspended till April 4 and will be opened gradually as we want to ensure arrangements to stop transmission of virus in Pakistan,” he said.