Pakistan

Global surge: Pakistan tightens screening for new COVID-19 variant at airports

Published

1 year ago

Farwa

Advisory issued in light of recent spike in COVID-19 cases globally.
BHS advises random sampling of 2% international travellers.
No cases of BF.7 variant detected in Pakistan, confirms NIH.

LAHORE: Border Health Services (BHS) Thursday directed airport authorities to tighten COVID-19 screening for all international travellers landing in Pakistan following a recent global resurgence in virus cases, especially in China and India.

The advisory also binds the Airport Health Services to screen — using Antigen Rapid Test— every unwell traveller at the airports.

According to the notification, all the focal persons of the BHS have been advised to maintain a heightened level of awareness for the rapid identification, detection, and isolation of any potential cases to prevent further transmission as a part of effective control and prevention measures.

All the in-charges have been advised to strictly implement Infection Prevention Control (IPC) protocols at the points of entry, including disinfection and fumigation of passenger arrival areas and appropriate personal protective equipment (PPES) by the healthcare workers for interruption of transmission.

A random sampling of all inbound passengers on international flights (2%) has been advised as part of the national response against COVID-19 at the points of entry.

The border health authority has also advised all the airlines to facilitate its staff in carrying out the testing smoothly, as some passengers often resist being tested.

BF.7 Variant

Following China, India reported the detection of several cases of BF.7, a sub-variant of the Omicron variant of COVID-19, which is driving the huge COVID surge in China.

The BF.7 sub-variant has already been detected in several other countries, including Germany, Belgium, France, Denmark, the US, and the UK.

Believed to be a highly transmissible variant with a shorter incubation period, the BF.7 is a sub-lineage of the Omicron variant BA, experts at NIH said. They said it also has a higher capacity to cause re-infection and infect vaccinated individuals.

“As per the latest studies, the BF.7 variant has several times higher neutralization resistance than the original Wuhan virus. This means the antibodies from the vaccination are not effective enough against the virus”, an expert at the NIH told The News.

NO BF.7 cases detected yet in Pakistan

On December 26, the National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC) denied the detection of Omicron sub-variant BF.7 in Pakistan and said there is no threat of any new variant of COVID-19.

“An unverified report is circulating in the media regarding the threat of a new COVID-19 variant. The National Command and Operations Center affirms that there is currently no such threat. The situation is being closely monitored,” the National Institute of Health (NIH) Islamabad said in a statement on Twitter.

An unverified news is circulating in the media regarding the threat of a new COVID-19 variant.
The National Command and Operations Center affirms that at present there is no such threat. The situation is being closely monitored.
— NIH Pakistan (@NIH_Pakistan) December 24, 2022

Latest News

There will be no rally in Islamabad on May 9, as police warn of stern action.

Published

4 hours ago

Farwa

On Tuesday, police announced the federal government had implemented Section 144 in the Capital, which prohibited anyone from holding a gathering without permission.

The Capital police have warned that individuals who attempt to hold a gathering on May 9 will face severe consequences. Those who organize a protest procession without previous permission will face legal consequences. The Capital Police Department stated that such an attempt would not be permitted.

It should be noted that the PTI has organized a ‘peaceful’ demonstration in Islamabad on May 9, and has sought a judicial commission to investigate the May 9 incident.

Meanwhile, speaking to the media on Tuesday, PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan, along with the party’s top leaders, including Shoaib Shaheen, stated that peaceful protest was a fundamental right of any political party. They also inquired about the location of CCTV footage from the May 9 occurrences.

The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has called for the establishment of a judicial committee to probe the events of May 9. Barrister Gohar reiterated the party’s position on the Public Accounts Committee chairman, noting that it was an internal matter that will be settled upon notification.

In response to the DG ISPR’s recent press conference, Barrister Gohar stated, “I will read the DG ISPR’s statement and then comment.”

Shoaib Shaheen emphasized claimed acts of state terrorism, such as the kidnapping of the PTI’s founder and cases like Zille Shah. He also expressed concern about CCTV camera breakdowns in critical situations.

Latest News

Hajj 2024: Pakistan’s inaugural flight, carrying 180 pilgrims, departs tomorrow

Published

4 hours ago

Farwa

The first Hajj flight will depart from Karachi International Airport on Thursday (tomorrow) with 180 pilgrims, Ministry of Religious Affairs officials announced on Tuesday.

According to the officials, the first flight would depart at 1:45 a.m. on Thursday. According to them, up to 180 pilgrims will fly from Karachi to Medina, while a second aircraft of 150 pilgrims would depart for the holy region at 2 a.m.

In a month-long pre-Hajj flying operation, more than 68,000 prospective pilgrims under the government’s regular Hajj scheme would be ferried to Saudi Arabia on 259 flights by multiple airlines.

Most planes would arrive in Jeddah between May 24 and June 9, with the post-Hajj flight service from Saudi Arabia to Pakistan beginning on June 20.

On the first day (Thursday), 11 aircraft carrying 2,160 pilgrims would leave Pakistani airports for Medina.

Three aircraft from Islamabad would transport up to 680 pilgrims to Medina, two flights from Karachi would carry 330 pilgrims, and three flights from Lahore would transport 670 pilgrims.

The first Hajj flights from Quetta and Sukkur are scheduled for May 11 and 27, respectively.

Pre-HAJJ Arrangements

Earlier, the Ministry of Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony had finalized plans for the incoming pilgrims. As a result, the pilgrims were vaccinated on April 30 because travelers must obtain the mandated immunization 10 days before their Hajj flights begin.

Pilgrims must carry smartphones with them so that they can use applications for assistance throughout their Hajj journey.

Business

Pakistan’s lunar mission ‘ICUBE-Q’ reaches the moon orbit.

Published

4 hours ago

Farwa

Pakistan’s lunar mission (ICUBE-Q) entered orbit around the moon on Wednesday.

Pakistan’s historic lunar mission (ICUBE-Q) launched from Hainan, China, on Friday aboard China’s Chang’E6 spacecraft.

According to the IST, the satellite ICUBE-Q was planned and developed in partnership with China’s Shanghai University SJTU and Pakistan’s national space agency SUPARCO.

The ICUBE-Q orbiter is equipped with two optical cameras to image the lunar surface. ICUBE-Q has now been integrated into the Chang’e6 mission after successfully qualifying and testing it.

Chang’e6 is the sixth lunar exploration mission launched by China.

The launch event was streamed live on the IST website and social media platforms. Chang’6, China’s Lunar Mission, will land on the Moon’s far side to collect surface samples before returning to Earth for further research.