HERAT CITY (SW) – Director public health in Herat province has warned against devastating impacts of potential spillover of coronavirus from Iran.
In conversation with Salam Watandar, Abdul Hakim Tamana, said that at least 7,000 Afghans enter Herat from Iran on daily basis, and many of them might have coronavirus.
According to him, the device used to detect people at the border does not correctly detect the coronavirus. "We are used to only seeing and believing, unless we see and believe that the problem is serious, we do not take it seriously", he sighed.
According to the department of refugees and repatriation, more than 5,000 Afghan refugees have entered the country in the past six days through the Islam Qala crossing point with Iran.
Javed Nadim, head of department of refugees and returnees, said the majority of citizens are returning home due to fears of being infected with the coronavirus in Iran, which is a serious threat to the Afghan government and people.
Herat governor, Abdul Qayum Rahimi, expressing concern over the current situation, said the local administration lacks authority to close the Islam Qala crossing. He said that the government is trying to at least prevent the citizens from going to Iran.
Herat health officials urged returnees to stay at home for at least 14 days to prevent the spread of the virus, and to seek medical attention if they had symptoms of the virus.
So far, two positive cases of the virus have been registered in Samangan and five in Herat.
ENDS
