ISLAMABAD, April 1: Federal Minister for Planning and Development Asad Umar on Wednesday said the “restrictions” imposed as precautionary measures amid the coronavirus outbreak in the country will continue for two weeks more – April 1 to 14.
The decision to extend the period of the restrictions was taken in a meeting of the National Coordination Committee (NCC).
“The meetings of the NCC will be held regularly before 14 April to review the situation,” Umar said, while addressing a press conference alongside Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Health Dr Zafar Mirza and Special Assistant to the Prime Minister of Pakistan on National Security Division and Strategic Policy Planning Moeed Yusuf.
“The industries manufacturing basic necessities – food, medicine, and power etc. – will operate as they are crucial at this time,” he said, adding: “These restrictions will bear fruit only if basic necessities are being provided to the people […] The federal and provincial governments are on same page in this regard.”
“Goods transport will continue as all members present in the meeting had agreed on cooperating in this regard,” he noted.
“On April 4, the first flight will arrive in Islamabad via Pakistan International Airline. Passengers will be tested and they will be kept in quarantine facility till the results are received,” he said, referring to the government’s aim to begin resuming flight operations.
If they test negative, then we will ask them to self-quarantine and take necessary precautionary measures, the minister said.
“On April 5, we will review this measure of bringing people in from abroad, if it is successful then flights will resume in different airports of the country […] domestic flights will remain suspended.” – Agencies
