WASHINGTON: The inter­­national community should try to find a cure for the coronavirus pandemic as quarantining people is not enough to eradicate this dangerous disease, says Pakistan’s minister for science and technology, Fawad Chaudhry.Pakistan’s US Ambassador Dr Asad M. Khan, however, urged the Pakistani American community to “observe self-quarantine, if advised to do so.”

Addressing a joint news conference with Pakistani Republican Sajid Tarar, Mr Chaudhry pointed out that Pakistan was facing a coronavirus crisis because it has borders with two of the worst-hit states, China and Iran. “But the situation is not as bad as it could have been because we have taken strong precautionary measures,” he said.

Mr Chaudhry said that putting people in isolation, forbidding social gatherings and quarantining suspected patients was not a solution. “These are preventive measures but what we need now is a cure, a vaccine,” said the minister while urging the international community to work together to eradicate this threat.

In a separate statement, Ambassador Khan reminded the Pakistani community that the US administration had declared a national emergency to cope with this deadly viral outbreak.

“Federal, state and local authorities are issuing daily advisories, and limits have been placed on public travels and gatherings,” he reminded the community.

“In these extraordinary times, I strongly urge our community members to follow the guidelines” issued by American authorities, the ambassador said.

“In case you and your family members develop symptoms, please contact your health care provider immediately” and observe self-quarantine if asked to do so, he added.

The ambassador also said that despite the crisis, the embassy and its affiliated consulates were observing regular working hours and any change in this routine would be announced properly.

Published in Dawn, March 19th, 2020