LAHORE/PESHAWAR: Chief ministers of Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) restricted their schedules after several cases of coronavirus were reported from their offices, it emerged Thursday.
Reports citing sources suggest two staffers — a protocol officer and a waiter — at Usman Buzdar’s office had tested positive for the contagious disease and one of them lost his life recently.
As many as 16 officials of the CM House have contracted coronavirus disease, it said.
A spokesperson said that Buzdar will only hold important meetings in-person and will attend the rest virtually. He added that there was also a ban imposed on normal visits due to coronavirus.
Meanwhile, Special Assistant to KP Chief Minister Kamran Bangash confirmed that six officials of the CM House have contracted coronavirus.
He said that the chief minister’s schedule has been restricted, adding the meetings will now be held via video-link.
Coronavirus tests for all the staffers of the CM House were termed compulsory and a ban was also imposed on casual visits to the secretariat.
It was further decided that strict implementation of guidelines, including social distancing, would be maintained during meetings held at CM House.
Mahmood Khan has appealed to the public to adopt all precautionary measures against the virus and ensure strict adherence to the guidelines.
He said that cases of coronavirus were on the rise again and people must ensure the wearing of face masks.