ISLAMABAD: National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) issued instructions to authorities concerned to ensure mass public awareness about novel coronavirus variant that threatens resurgence of disease and ensure surveillance of travellers to avoid any risk of infection.

Chairman NDMA Lieutenant General Inam Haider Malik presided over review session held with team of National Institute of Health and Civil Aviation Authority on Covid-19 situation and surveillance mechanisms at airports in wake of threat posed by new BF.7 Omicron variant of deadly virus, a news release said.

NIH showed detailed statistics on Covid-19 management and vaccination administration data in Pakistan. It was briefed that Rapid Antigen Tests (RATs) and Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) tests of inbound passengers have been conducted at all airports of country as per policy in vogue. NIH officials told forum that vaccination and screening tests of pedestrians are being executed at Torkham border on daily basis.

CAA informed that an efficient system with proper management team was fully functional at airports to remain vigilant and related logistic arrangements had been made to deal with any sub-variant of Covid-19. Chairman NDMA expressed confidence in country’s anti-covid strategies and national preparedness regime. However, he instructed NIH to issue precautionary advisories for educational institutes, social gatherings and communities and conduct weekly media briefings to sensitise public and stakeholders.

Published in The Daily National Courier, January, 03 2023

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