Coronavirus Outbreak: Govt. declares national health emergency

The federal government on Tuesday has declared a national health emergency across the country to contain the spread of contagious disease.

It was earlier in the day when Pakistan reported its fifth coronavirus (COVID-19) case, a 45-year-old woman from Gilgit Baltistan, who recently traveled to Iran.

The decision was announced by Prime Minister Special Assistant on Information and Broadcasting Firdous Ashiq Awan on Tuesday while addressing a press conference following the cabinet meeting in Islamabad.

“Dr. Zafar Mirza briefed the federal cabinet in detail on the measures taken to contain the spread of coronavirus”, she said.

She also maintained that Dr. Mirza during the cabinet meeting suggested several measures including declaring national health emergency across the country to deal with the spread of coronavirus cases, which was “approved by the cabinet”.

She also said that the federal cabinet has emphasised over the need to strengthen the awareness campaign and make medical screening at all entry points of the country, and more particularly with most effective for those coming from Iran and China.