LAHORE: The Punjab government has issued new guidelines for the establishment and management of cattle markets in the wake of the Covid-19 as well as prevention of the Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever (CCHF) fearing its spread from sacrificial animals.

The guidelines were issued on the recommendations of the technical working group (TWG) of the Primary and Secondary Healthcare Department.

According to the guidelines, the government declared that cattle markets should be established at designated points, at least two to five kilometres from the city. However, the working group recommended an increase in the number of cattle markets to manage the rush of the traders and customers.

The guidelines say the management must ensure controlled entry to the market and the parking area will be marked for distanced parking. Only two people per vehicle will be allowed, the elderly and children will not be allowed entry.

The markets should ensure provision of hand-hygiene facilities at entry points and multiple spots inside. No person will be allowed to enter without covering the face. Thermal scanning of staff and visitors at entry points by trained personnel should be ensured. Medical camps with adequate staff, equipment and personal protective equipment will be established at the markets.

Markets to be set up 15 days ahead of Eid

The guidelines further state that Covid-19 was considered a zoonotic disease though its link with specific animals had not been established yet. The CCHF was a widespread disease caused by a tick-borne virus with a case fatality rate of 10 to 40pc.

Meanwhile, the Punjab cabinet committee to combat coronavirus threat on Saturday decided to set up cattle markets 15 days before the Eid.

Chairing a meeting at the CM’s office, Chief Minister Usman Buzdar reviewed the measures taken to deal with the coronavirus

and sought finalisation of the SOPs for Eidul Azha.

Mr Buzdar has expressed satisfaction over the reduction in coronavirus cases in the province due to ‘smart lockdown’.

He said the government had conducted more than 12,000 inspections on sale of medicines at exorbitant rates. He said the government would launch a pilot project for reviewing the presence of virus in the sewage. He said the government, in order to take better decisions, had constituted a technical working group of renowned medical experts.

The CM lauded the performance of the National Command and Operation Centre during the last 100 days.

Provincial ministers Dr Yasmin Rashid, Mian Aslam Iqbal, Fayyazul Hassan Chohan, the chief secretary, IGP, additional chief secretary (home) and secretaries of departments concerned were present.

Other senior officials attended the meeting through video link.

Published in Dawn, July 5th, 2020