Punjab Chief Secretary Azam Suleman Khan has said the civil and military personnel are on the same page in fight against coronavirus.

“Joint efforts are a must to deal with such emergencies,” he told a meeting on Tuesday. Law Minister Raja Basharat, IGP Shoaib Dastgir and senior officials also joined.

The chief secretary directed officials concerned to ensure free movement of good transport to ensure availability of utility items.

He asked the Board of Revenue member to ensure availability of sensitisers, hand-wash soaps, masks and gloves at lower courts.

He said employees, especially media persons, must be allowed to work after necessary checking and no one should be ‘harassed’ at check points.

The chief secretary directed the divisional commissioners that food hampers be provided to poor families in case their breadwinners are quarantined and help of philanthropists also be sought for this purpose.

The government approved a contingency plan and funds to cope with the challenge, he said, adding that the upgrade of three out of eight labs will begin next week.

 The divisional commissioners briefed the meeting through a video link that the local admin backed by the personnel of armed forces, intensified anti-coronavirus combat.

The meeting was apprised of gathering data of persons with a history of travel abroad while services of local leaders were acquired for tracing, tracking and treatment (TTT).

Law Minister Raja Basharat said lauded medics for their role in war on virus.  He said that supply of personal protection equipment to hospitals will begin today.  He also assured full cooperation on behalf of the CM.

IGP Shoaib Dastgir ordered the regional police officers to ensure enforcement of section 144 in the province. 

It was briefed that Public Health Department has prepared sanitiser and started its supply in the market. The meeting was told that in crackdown on hoarding in Sargodha 150 bags of wheat have been recovered.