KP scrambles to contain coronavirus; educational institutions turned into quarantine facilities

PESHAWAR: The district administration has ordered that educational institutions in Peshawar be converted into coronavirus quarantine facilities, The News reported. 

Premises declared coronavirus quarantine facilities include student hostels at Peshawar University, sub-campuses of other universities, and various educational institutes.

A quarantine centre has been set up in South Waziristan as well.

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The administration has asked Peshawar's Capital City Police to ensure deployment across facilities to prevent any unauthorised movement in and out of the premises.

The entry/exit of these facilities will be strictly regulated by the district health office, Peshawar Health Department or district administration. 

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Meanwhile, the district administration of South Waziristan, with the support of the Frontier Corps (FC), has launched a door-to-door awareness campaign on coronavirus prevention and also set up quarantine centre in Wana. 

Speaking to The News, South Waziristan Deputy Commissioner Hameedullah Khattak said that during the drive, the administration was distributing soap and face masks among the local people as well. 

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“We are carrying out the activities with the support of Frontier Corps-South. Initially, we have distributed soaps and face masks in Makeen, Ladha, Sararogha, Kotkai and Wana areas,” he added. 

Hameedullah said that in the next phase, his teams would visit different parts of the tribal district to get data on people who may have recently come to the area from overseas.

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“In Wana hospital, we have set up a quarantine/isolation ward and are now extending its capacity up to 100 beds. Also, four more isolation facilities are being set up at Tanai, Toikhula, Maula Khan Serae and Sararogha,” he said.

He added that health staff with thermal guns had been deputed at South Waziristan’s boundaries with Balochistan and other areas with the aim of screening and isolating coronavirus patients. 

Afghan border points have been completely sealed. “Barbershops have been shut while hotels have been directed to only sell takeaways and there is a ban on inside-hotel service,” the official said.

Originally published in The News