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Pakistan Shuts Afghan Border to Stop Spread of Coronavirus

Ayaz Gul

   ISLAMABAD - Pakistan has temporarily closed a key southwestern crossing
   point with Afghanistan, saying the move is meant to prevent the spread
   of coronavirus on both sides of the border.

   An official announcement Monday said the Chaman crossing in Baluchistan
   province was being shut for "an initial period of seven days... in the
   best interest of the people of brotherly countries."

   Meanwhile, authorities in the southern province of Sindh extended the
   closure of all educational institutions for two weeks following the
   confirmation of a second case of the virus in Karachi, the provincial
   capital and the country's largest city. Schools in Sindh have been
   closed since Thursday.

   Pakistan has confirmed a total of four cases, including two in the
   national capital, Islamabad. The ministry of public health in
   Afghanistan says one person has tested positive and that authorities
   are investigating 17 suspected cases. Those individuals are being kept
   in isolation wards.

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