MINGORA: Disinfectant walk-through gates have been installed at different locations in Swat as precautionary measures against spread of coronavirus.

The disinfectant walk-through gates were initially installed in seven tehsils of the district including Saidu Teaching Hospital which according to the health experts could help to prevent spread of coronavirus.

“We have installed the disinfectant tunnel on the directives of provincial chief secretary on experimental basis. We will install them in all other areas where people gather and water facility is available. Such walk-through gates will also be installed in all the hospitals in Swat,” said Deputy Commissioner Saqib Raza Aslam.

He said that district administration and health department took effective measures against spread of coronavirus and kept it under control.

Doctors in the hospital appreciated installation of walk-through gates at casualty department and said that majority of the patients visited casualty.

“These days are very critical due to coronavirus and without taking preventive measures, protection is not possible. Now with the installation of the walk-through gate, patients and other people, who visit hospital, will get sprayed with disinfectants against the virus,” said Dr Saleem.

He said that after walking through the gate, disinfectants would help to the kill virus. The walk-through gates were recommended by health experts during the coronavirus outbreak where chlorine mixed spray is conducted round the clock.

“Whenever I visit the hospital these days, I feel hesitant about the coronavirus. Today, I am happy to see the gate because I walk through the gate and feel satisfied that I will not contract the virus,” said Ijaz Khan, an attendant of a patient.

The health experts and local people said that installation of walk-through gate was indispensable.

They appreciated the move and appealed to the government to install more such gates in different parts of Mingora because it was the hub of financial activities and people visited it frequently from different parts of Malakand division.

Meanwhile, the tally of Covid-19 patients reached 47 after four more patients tested positive in Swat. The four new patients belong to Sharifabad, Gumbat Maira, Balogram and Shahb Nagar.

Published in Dawn, April 10th, 2020