28 confirmed cases of novel coronavirus in the country
WEB DESK
Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi on Friday said that the coronavirus outbreak in the country was “under control” and that the people “need not worry”.
His remarks came shortly after a meeting of the National Security Committee (NSC), held to debate on the national response to the outbreak.
Qureshi said the federal and provincial governments are continuously monitoring developments related to COVID-19.
“People need not worry. Thank God, the coronavirus pandemic is under control in Pakistan,” he said.
The foreign minister said that Pakistan’s border “will have to be closed for the next 15 days”.
“The gathering at Raiwand has also been limited to a shorter duration,” he said.
Qureshi said that Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah has “apprised us of the measures taken in the province.”
He said that China had very effectively fought the pandemic and Pakistan was taking all steps necessary to contain the spread.
“We took proactive measures and that’s why not many [people] were affected by the pandemic,” he said.
Qureshi added that people should “refrain from going to cinema houses, movie theatres, marriage halls, and public gatherings”.
Meanwhile Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Health Dr Zafar Mirza announced Friday that there were 28 confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus in the country, with the seven new cases emerging in Taftan.
“Twenty-eight persons have been infected with the novel coronavirus in Pakistan,” said Dr Zafar Mirza during a news conference. “All seven patients in Taftan have been kept in isolation. A mobile laboratory has been established in Taftan,” he added.
Read more: Coronavirus updates, March 13: Latest news on the coronavirus outbreak from Pakistan and around the world
The prime minister’s special assistant said that a National Coordination Committee will hold a meeting tomorrow to discuss measures to tackle the virus. “There is a need to take decisions on a national level regarding the coronavirus,” he said.
He said that the government had decided to open only three airports for international flights. “International flights will be operated only through Karachi, Lahore and Islamabad airports,” he said.