Pakistan airport authorities begin screening people travelling from China for Coronavirus

Pakistan has announced on Thursday that airport authorities have begun screening travellers arriving in the country from China for signs of the coronavirus.

Pakistani officials said more than 40 direct or indirect flights from China land every week at three main airports, including Karachi, Lahore and Islamabad.

In a statement on the decision, Pakistani State Minister of Health, Zafar Mirza, said: “These points of entry are being closely monitored in line with international health regulations.

“Major hospitals in Lahore, Karachi and Islamabad are also being linked with surveillance systems on airports, seaports and ground crossings.”

Following the discovery of the coronavirus, World Health Organisation officials have confirmed nearly 500 cases, including nearly 20 deaths, with all cases said to be in or from China.