Pakistan’s border with Iran ‘temporarily’ shut after coronavirus deaths in Iran

Pakistan has closed its border with Iran at Taftan on Sunday after death toll in the neighbouring country from the novel coronavirus surged to eight. The closure of border was done on temporary basis, reports said.

The Home Minister of Balochistan, Mir Ziaullah Langove told the media that the border was temporarily closed by the authorities after the reports of coronavirus deaths in Iran.

“Yes we have closed the border,” the minister confirmed to a local media outlet.

Besides the border closure, a ban on the travel of pilgrims from Pakistan into Iran by road has also been imposed by the provincial government and has asked the provincial home department to coordinate with other provinces in this regard.

The chief minister of Baluchistan has ordered the provincial disaster management authority to establish a 100-bed tent hospital at the Pak-Iran border crossing in Taftan in case if any emergency situation arises.

The screening of the pilgrims staying Pakistan House has also started as confirmed by Assistant Commissioner of Taftan Najeebullah Qambrani while adding that the preparations of 100-bed tent hospital is in the set up and team of doctors has arrived from Islamabad.

On the other hand, Minister for Religious Affairs Noorul Haq Qadri spoke to Iranian authorities about measures being taken to protect pilgrims from the deadly coronavirus

A statement by the Religious Affairs Ministry said that Qadri is in contacts with religious scholars and tour groups in order to formulate a policy to provide the pilgrims safety against novel coronavirus.