Quarantine centre at Taftan border runs out of space

The arrangements made at Taftan border by the government for quarantining the people returning from Iran have been overwhelmed with the rush.

The authorities have now decided to shift the returning pilgrims to Quetta for continuing the treatment.

The quarantine centre set up for pilgrims coming back from Iran, named Pakistan House, has been filled to capacity and there was no space to house more people returning from Iran.

The government set up Pakistan House near Pak-Iran Taftan border area to screen the returning pilgrims from the neighbouring country.

Around 1,000 pilgrims from Iran reportedly reached Pakistan House at the Taftan Border.

Initially, Balochistan government closed the Taftan border last week to contain the spread of coronavirus but later, the government allowed pilgrims to return back from Iran. 

Residents of borders towns including Turbat, Gwadar, Chagai, Nushki and Panjgur have also been directed not to visit Pakistan-Iran border.

It is pertinent to mention that the Interior Ministry has already decided to close the Pakistan-Afghanistan border from March 2 to March 7.

On Wednesday, Special Assistant to the PM on National Health Services Dr Zafar Mirza had disclosed that as many as 200 persons across Pakistan are being tested for the suspicion of the novel coronavirus.

Speaking to the media in Rawalpindi, Dr Zafar Mirza had said that unlike other countries the novel coronavirus did not spread as rapidly in Pakistan thanks to timely measures of the government. He said that as many as 200 persons across Pakistan are being tested for the suspicion of this virus. “However, there are only five confirmed cases in the country.”

“But the good news is that all five of the infected people are recovering,” Zafar Mirza said. “We appeal to the people that do not go for masks without urgent reasons and to wash hands frequently. Every flu case is not a coronavirus case.”

“If someone is having a fever he better avoid going into the public, and the people coming from China and Iran must observe self-isolation.” He said the only thing required at the moment is that people observe basic health precautions and do not panic.

Zafar Mirza said the government is continuously working for the betterment in the health sector, adding all the sectors are working jointly, and “We hope we’ll control the situation.”