Expats Accuse Administration Of Threatening Them In Quarantine
Repatriated Pakistanis quarantined at the University of Agriculture Faisalabad’s PARS Campus allege poor conditions at the center. One female patient stated that she was being made to share one bathroom with 50 men, while others claim the administration has been consistently delaying reports despite promises of delivering results within the day. Patients claim that the administration is being provided Rs. 3000 daily for each resident, citing this may be the reason why their test results are being constantly pushed back. Moreover, the patients alleged that the administration has threatened them with altered test results that diagnose positive if those quarantined speak out against the lack of facilities and mismanagement.
YDA Claim Authorities Flouting SOPs
The Young Doctors Association Lahore alleged during a press conference that provincial administrative bodies are failing to implement SOPs to mitigate the spread of the virus at hospitals and other facilities. Implementation of social distancing and other precautionary measures are not being ensured at hospitals, and tests that are normally produced in 12 hours are being delayed by nearly 2 weeks. YDA Lahore also renewed the demand for PPE for outpatient department staff and healthcare professionals for the safety of patients.
Balochistan Lockdown Extended To June
The Balochistan government has issued orders to extend the lockdown across the province – section 144 of the Pakistan Penal Code, which outlaws all gatherings of more than 5 people at one time in public spaces, will be maintained in Balochistan till June 2. Under the lockdown restrictions, inter-city and inter-province travel remains suspended, and all gatherings except congregational prayers are banned.
Law Enforcement Officials Test Positive
Nearly 40 Punjab Constabulary personnel and two police constables tested positive for COVID-19 on Tuesday, May 19. Moreover, five policemen admitted in Indus Hospital in Muzaffargarh, Azad Jammu and Kashmir, were discharged after testing negative after completing their quarantine period.