Spread of coronavirus through Khunjerab Pass feared

Published January 29, 2020
The government of Gilgit-Baltis­tan has expressed fears about the spread of coronavirus through Khunjerab Pass.  — Reuters/File
The government of Gilgit-Baltis­tan has expressed fears about the spread of coronavirus through Khunjerab Pass. — Reuters/File

GILGIT: The government of Gilgit-Baltis­tan has expressed fears about the spread of coronavirus through Khunjerab Pass.

An official of the Gilgit-Baltistan health department told Dawn on Tuesday that all preventative measures were being taken to contain the infectious disease.

The health department has recommended deployment of medical staff to the border to check the disease and isolate patients and refer them for treatment.

Thermal scanners and other equipment, including gloves, surgical masks, disposable garments and long aprons as well as ambulances, would be available at the border.

The people who travel to China frequently would be identified and screened.

Meanwhile, dozens of political activists staged a protest outside the Gilgit Press Club against proposed opening of Khunjerab pass from February 2 to 8.

Published in Dawn, January 29th, 2020

Opinion

Editorial

Agriculture tax
Updated 16 Nov, 2024

Agriculture tax

Amendments made in Punjab's agri income tax law are crucial to make the system equitable.
Genocidal violence
16 Nov, 2024

Genocidal violence

A RECENTLY released UN report confirms what many around the world already know: that Israel has been using genocidal...
Breathless Punjab
16 Nov, 2024

Breathless Punjab

PUNJAB’s smog crisis has effectively spiralled out of control, with air quality readings shattering all past...
Last call
Updated 15 Nov, 2024

Last call

PTI should hardly be turning its "final" protest into a "do or die" occasion.
Mini budget talk
15 Nov, 2024

Mini budget talk

NO matter how much Pakistan’s finance managers try to downplay the prospect of a ‘mini budget’ to pull off a...
Diabetes challenge
15 Nov, 2024

Diabetes challenge

AMONGST the many public health challenges confronting Pakistan, diabetes arguably does not get the attention it...