-NSC holds meeting to devise national strategy as 28 Coronavirus cases confirmed
-Western border with Iran, Afghanistan closed
-All educational institutions to remain shut until 5th April
-Public advised to avoid gatherings, congregations, public spots
-Air travelling restricted
By Uzma Zafar
ISLAMABAD: The National Security Committee (NSC) on Friday decided to take a number of steps to contain the spread of coronavirus in the country, including closing the border with Iran and Afghanistan and banning all large public gatherings.
The high-level NSC meeting, chaired by Prime Minister Imran Khan, was attended by the provincial chief ministers and the civilian and military leadership.
Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Health Dr Zafar Mirza and other government officials revealed the decisions taken by the body at a press conference, with Mirza revealing that Pakistan now has 28 cases of COVID-19.
“There is a lot of speculation about the total number of cases in the country. However, I can confirm that Pakistan has 28 cases of coronavirus,” said Mirza, who was accompanied by government spokesperson Firdous Ashiq Awan and PM’s Special Assistant on National Security
Division and Strategic Policy Planning Moeed Yousuf. Mirza announced that Pakistan’s border with Afghanistan and Iran will be closed “completely” for two weeks, following which the situation will be reviewed. During this period, the system for screening and preventing further infections from entering the country will be made stronger.
He said the first batch of pilgrims who have returned to the country from Iran has left for provinces after completing its 14-day quarantine period at the Taftan border. The details of these pilgrims will be provided to the provincial governments, which can test or place the pilgrims under quarantine again.
It was decided during the meeting that only three airports in the country Karachi, Islamabad and Lahore will be allowed to operate international flights, a move intended to reduce the entry points and ensure better arrangements there.
Mirza said all large public gatherings will be banned, including weddings and conferences, for a period of two weeks. Cinemas will also be closed while all remaining Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2020 matches will take place in empty stadiums.
The matter of whether religious public gatherings should be banned has been referred to the religious affairs minister and the chairman of the Council of Islamic Ideology. They have been tasked with consulting with all stakeholders and give their advice to the government based on which a decision will be taken, Mirza said. It was decided to close all educational institutions in the country for three weeks. Education minister Shafqat Mehmood tweeted that schools will remain shut until April 5. Mirza said the government will also request the chief justice to close civil courts and adjourn cases for a period of three weeks.
