GILGIT: The Gilgit-Baltistan government on Thursday announced that the Pakistan-China border crossing point at Khunjerab Pass would reopen in April.

The announcement comes as part of precautionary measures to stop the possible transmission of coronavirus from China to Pakistan.

A news release issued by the GB home department on Thursday said the Feb 2-8 opening of Khunjerab Pass to help Pakistani traders bring in the consignments stuck in China had been postponed in view of the possible coronavirus transmission from China to Pakistan.

GB home secretary Mohammad Ali Randhawa told Dawn that the border crossing at Khunjerab Pass would re-open in the month of April as usual.

He said all necessary arrangements would be made to prevent the transmission of coronavirus through the border crossing.

An official of GB health department said the federal and regional authorities were jointly taking all possible measures against coronavirus.

He said the department would install all necessary equipment at the Khunjerab Pass border crossing and equip staff members with thermal scanners to screen the people entering Pakistan.

The official said the suspected cases would be isolated before being treated.

Published in Dawn, January 31st, 2020