Pakistan has decided not to airlift its people from the Coronavirus struck city of Wuhan
Expressing solidarity with its all-weather friend China, the Government of Pakistan has decided not to airlift its people from the Coronavirus struck city of Wuhan in People’s Republic of China.
The decision was made after the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Pakistan – Shah Mehmood Qureshi met the Minister of Foreign Affairs, China – Wang Yi. During the meeting, China assured Pakistan of taking care of their people in China.
Speaking on the occasion, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister (SAPM) on Health – Zafar Mirza said, “It (coronavirus) is now being transferred from human to human. It means that a person affected with the virus can also become a source for the transfer of the virus.”
He further added, “The World Health Organisation (WHO) has declared the situation an emergency of international concern. Being a responsible nation, Pakistan wants to take steps that ensure the safety of maximum people.”
Mirza also said that Pakistan has full faith in China and that China will take good care of Pakistanis in China. Talking about coronavirus affected Pakistanis, he said that they all have recovered as they were diagnosed at an early stage. Pakistan has also said that it will not allow its people to return from China until they have been quarantined for 14 days and were found to be free of the disease.
Although Pakistan has allowed some of its people to return from China, but these were not based at Wuhan. None of these passengers were having Coronavirus. For the records, around 500 Pakistanis, mostly students, are believed to be staying in Wuhan. Several students have appealed to the Pakistani Government to airlift them.
Meanwhile, as of today, i.e., Tuesday, February 4, 2020, the total number of deaths due to coronavirus in China have risen to 425. The total number of confirmed cases stands at 20,438. Globally, 427 people have died.
Besides, Courts in different parts of Mainland China have released regulations, on the use of laws to curb the spread of coronavirus. A notice by the North-Eastern Province’s Higher People’s Court said anyone who spreads rumour will be subject to a maximum 15 years of jail. Anyone found intentionally spreading the coronavirus to cause public harm could face death penalty. People who refuse to be quarantined are subject to 7 years of imprisonment.
Also, the Huoshenshan Hospital, Wuhan’s first makeshift military hospital, which was built in 8 days to cater to the victims of Coronavirus, has admitted its first batch of 50 patients today. The hospital is being operated by a total of 1,400 army medical personnel.
China has also increased its overseas purchases of medical protective gear and other equipment. The imports between January 24, 2020 to February 2, 2020 reached 810 million Yuan, with protective gear accounting for 75% of the items.
