LAHORE: Chief Minister Usman Buzdar has handed over his helicopter to the health department to deal with coronavirus issues.

Former chief minister Shahbaz Sharif bought the helicopter with particular emphasis that it should be used as an air ambulance, in case of emergency.

Mr Buzdar said the health department could use chief minister’s helicopter to deal with coronavirus issues by transporting medicine, equipment, medical kits as well as shifting patients to the designated hospitals.

The government would not show any laxity in the advance precautionary measures to deal with coronavirus, he said.

Mr Buzdar also said adopting precautionary measures is the only effective way to cope with the coronavirus threat. “Nothing is important than the health of the people,” he said.

He said the government had taken effective and timely measures to deal with the coronavirus. The decision of closure of educational institutions, marriage halls and cinemas had been made in the public interest. He appealed to the people to support the government’s initiatives to cope with coronavirus. He advised the people to adopt precautionary measures as part of their daily life by following the principle of “prevention is better than cure”.

He said the government initiatives would yield positive results for dealing with coronavirus through public cooperation. He said every sector would have to play its due role for the eradication of coronavirus. He said the government would continue taking steps in the future as well for protecting the people.

PRISONERS: The chief minister also announced two-month remission in the prisoners sentences.

This would help release of hundreds of prisoners. Mr Buzdar vowed that he would take every step which helps in dealing with coronavirus.

CHIEF SECRETARY: Chief Secretary Azam Suleman Khan has ordered all the relevant departments and field officers that directions issued by federal and Punjab governments regarding prevention of coronavirus be implemented in letter and spirit.

The chief secretary issued these instructions at an emergent meeting at his camp office that was attended by the additional chief secretary (home), administrative secretaries of different departments, including primary and secondary healthcare, specialized healthcare, schools education, higher education, industries, housing, and irrigation, commissioner Lahore and Lahore deputy commissioner whereas all divisional commissioners and deputy commissioners joined the meeting through video conferencing.

The chief secretary said the protection of life and property of people was the prime responsibility of the government and no stone would be left unturned to fulfill this important responsibility. He asked the officers to work diligently for prevention of coronavirus, considering it a ‘national duty’.

The chief secretary asked the provincial departments to remain alert and keep close coordination with the federal government.

He directed all field officers to ensure compliance with the Punjab government’s directions about closure of all educational institutes and ban on all kind of gatherings for next three weeks throughout the province. He also asked them to get implemented orders regarding closure of all marriage/banquet halls, marquees, cancelation of all kind of religious congregations, ceremonies and public gatherings, and ban on meeting with prisoners in jails for three weeks across the province.

He directed that in the wake of impending coronavirus alert, all public and private educational institutes including schools, colleges, medical colleges, technical and vocational institutions and universities be kept closed for three weeks and all examinations being conducted or to be conducted during the coming three weeks be cancelled.

He said all tuition centres and seminaries would also be closed and only foreign students be allowed to reside in hostels of madaris. PSL matches would be played without the spectators, he added.

Published in Dawn, March 15th, 2020