Sindh raises alarm over repatriating expatriates

DM Monitoring

KARACHI: The Sindh Health Department on Thursday raised concerns over the federal government’s new policy regarding the repatriation of overseas Pakistanis, saying it can lead to a surge in coronavirus cases, media reported. Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on National Security Moeed Yousuf had announced the government’s new policy according to which overseas Pakistanis were being sent home to isolate after having their tests conducted.
The Sindh government had expressed its reservations over the Centre’s policy to send passengers home without obtaining their results. Before this, overseas Pakistanis repatriated to the country were quarantined for 24 hours. The passengers were allowed to leave for home if their COVID-19 test results came back negative otherwise, they were quarantined for 14 days.
The Sindh Health Department voiced concerns that passengers returning from abroad would meet their relatives and friends which could increase transmission of the virus.
The health department said that by allowing these passengers to go home without obtaining their results first could lead to a surge in the coronavirus cases.