The Pakistan-Iran border remained closed for the third day on Tuesday following reports of the coronavirus outbreak in Iran.
About 270 people including pilgrims returning from Iran were isolated and put in quarantine for two weeks in Taftan’s Pakistan House. The Provincial Disaster Management Authority says all appropriate security measures are being taken at the Taftan border.
Read More: Health emergency declared at border with Iran after reports of coronavirus
There is screening and the protective masks are being distributed, they said. The Basic Health Unit in Taftan was converted into an isolation ward.
Health Services DG Dr. Shakir Baloch says a team of doctors flew in from NIH Islamabad via helicopter. The doctors and medical teams will be trained in Taftan.
Authorities say they’ve sought thermal weapons, masks, gloves and coronavirus test kits from the federal government, WHO and UNICEF.
Five districts in Balochistan were declared a state of emergency. There are long queues of vehicles on both sides of the border due to the Pak-Iran border which remains closed.
Read More: Govt striving to save Pakistani Zaireen in Iran from coronavirus: Noor-ul-Haq Qadri
Many of these are vehicles of Iranian gas-sector drivers who have crossed the border for doing business. They aren’t allowed to return. Many Pakistanis are stuck on the border with Iran as well.
