Qureshi self-isolates for five days after Beijing trip

By News Desk

ISLAMABAD: Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi moved into self-isolation for five days on Wednesday as a precautionary measure against Covid-19 after he returned from China.

The foreign minister, who accompanied President Arif Alvi during their two-day official visit to Beijing, will remain in isolation at his Islamabad residence.

Qureshi, in a statement to state media, said he was advised by health experts to undergo coronavirus testing after five days. He said he would maintain social distancing even from his family members and children as a safety measure.

Separately, in a conversation with Geo News programme Geo Pakistan, Qureshi said before leaving for China he was tested which came back negative. “Before leaving (China), another blood test was conducted, the result of which will come out today (Wednesday),” Qureshi said.

“After five days I will do another swab test and if that also comes back negative, I will then go out and interact with people. This is what the experts have suggested and I intend to do it to set an example for others,” he added. He also said China will provide Pakistan with testing kits, protective gear and portable ventilators. Furthermore, Beijing will also give Pakistan a cash grant. “China has [also] decided it will provide us with a cash grant to set up a state-of-the-art isolation centre to combat the coronavirus outbreak in the country,” the foreign minister added.

When asked about the measures the country will take to combat the outbreak, Qureshi said there was no need for a uniform approach; instead, Pakistan needs a targeted approach, he said. He added: “Every province will need to be approached differently. Every province has different needs. We need to take decisions keeping in mind the province. The measures taken in Wuhan are different than those taken in other provinces since there were more cases of the disease. We need to do the same here in Pakistan. Our main priority right now is to save lives. We have to keep in mind that the measures we take are balanced and do not destroy our economy.”