Punjab Health Minister Dr Yasmin Rashid has announced that a medical emergency has been declared in the province relating to the coronavirus outbreak.

Addressing a press briefing after the provincial cabinet meeting alongside Punjab Information Minister Fayyazul Hassan Chohan, the health minister said that vigilance has been stepped up at the province's five international airports.

She added that currently, three hospitals have been designated to deal with a possible outbreak, including Recep Tayyip Erdogan Hospital in Muzaffargarh, and Pakistan Kidney and Liver institute in Lahore.

The health minister also urged citizens to take the situation seriously, and to adopt precautionary measures such as regularly washing one's hands, and avoiding touching the face.