Four points designated for coronavirus screening

CHITRAL: Four points have been designated for screening of people coming to Chitral from down districts in the wake of the outbreak of coronavirus in different parts of the country.

According to a statement issued by the Lower Chitral deputy commissioner office on Friday night, in view of the reported cases of coronavirus in the country, following points are notified for screening of individuals by the health department:

Lowari tunnel, screening to be done by staff from the Basic Health Unit (BHU) Ashiret, Arandu border by the BHU Arandu staff, Ursoon by the tehsil headquarters hospital Drosh and Chitral airport by staff from the district headquarters hospital.

The health department will immediately depute staff along with kits for screening of those entering the district, it added.

Meanwhile, ChitralToday has learnt that a large number of Chitralis living in urban areas of the country, especially Karachi, were planning to return to their hometown to avoid the virus.

Though the administration of Lower Chitral announced screening of the people, there is so far no such arrangement in Upper Chitral which borders with Gilgit-Baltistan from where so far four coronavirus cases have been reported.

The road between Upper Chitral and Gilgit-Baltistan through the Shandur Pass is still closed due to snow but many people, especially labourers, continue travelling to and from GB mostly on foot.