Coronavirus: President Alvi says those having flu symptoms ‘can offer Friday prayers at home’

ISLAMABAD: President Arif Alvi on Thursday urged those suffering from flu symptoms to avoid public places, saying that he had consulted the Ulema who had said that it was permissible to pray at home and avoid congregations so as not to put other people at risk. 

A day after two new cases of the coronavirus emerged in Pakistan, President Alvi took to Twitter to urge people with flu symptoms to avoid public places. 

"People who have fever cough shortness of breath or any flu symptom should avoid going to public gatherings. I have taken opinion from Ulema that for the sake of community well being they can perform prayers at home & avoid Jumma congregation so as not to put other people at risk," he tweeted. 

Schools in Sindh and Balochistan have been closed till March 2 to ensure the virus does not spread. On Thursday, Saudi Arabia announced that it had imposed a temporary travel ban on countries where coronavirus cases have been reported or where the danger of the disease exists, Pakistan included among them. 

Read more: Balochistan, Sindh education institutes to reopen in March as coronavirus cases confirmed

Pakistan suspended flights to and from Iran as the infection continues to grow at an alarming rate in the country. Pakistan has also sealed the Taftan border crossing from where pilgrims journey to visit shrines in Iran. 

Read more: Coronavirus in Karachi: Sindh CM details measures being taken to contain outbreak