Cabinet has declared medical emergency in country, says Rashid

• Minister says hospitals across the province have been put on high alert.
• Rashid says those showing coronavirus symptoms will be kept in quarantine.
• Cabinet deliberated upon following the measures taken by China to tackle with the epidemic: Health minister.

(Karachi) Punjab Health Minister Yasmeen Rashid said that the cabinet has declared medical emergency in the country.

Addressing a press briefing in Lahore, she said that hospitals across the province have been put on high alert. She maintained that those showing coronavirus symptoms will be kept in quarantine and will only be allowed to go after confirmation that their tests are negative.

The health minister pointed out that the cabinet deliberated upon following the measures taken by China to tackle with the epidemic. "The Chinese government has effectively countered the outbreak."

Rashid highlighted the coronavirus has spread across the globe but it could be countered by taking timely steps and measures.

She said the government and the health ministry are closely monitoring the situation and are prepared to deal with the epidemic.