Pakistan halts flights to and from China: CAA

ISLAMABAD (Reuters) - Pakistan on Friday halted flights to and from China with immediate effect, a civil aviation official said, as the death toll from a virus outbreak spreading in China mounted and the World Health Organization called it a global health emergency. “We are suspending flights to China until Feb 2,” additional secretary of aviation Abdul Sattar Khokhar told Reuters by phone, adding the situation would be reviewed after that date. He declined to comment on the reason for the closure. Some airlines including British Airways, have suspended flights to China due to warnings of the coronavirus outbreak. On the other hand, Special Assistant on National Health Services Zafar Mirza has requested all provinces to allocate seprate wards in hospitals for possible coronavirus cases in Pakistan. Chairing a meeting of the Emergency Core Committee on Coronavirus on Friday, the special assistant said the committee and the Emergency Operation Cell, established at Ministry of Health, have been monitoring the situation regarding the disease. He also said that steps are being taken on war footings under the directives of the Prime Minister Imran Khan to ensure safety from coronavirus. He said the federation and the provinces are alert to deal with Coronavirus. Zafar Mirza said he has requested all the provinces to allocate separate wards in hospitals for possible Coronavirus cases. He said Health Establishment is ensuring trained practical screening system at airports.