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Afghanistan facing second wave of Coronavirus: Osmani
Ahmad Javad Osmani, acting Minister of Public Health, on Wednesday warned that the country is facing its second wave in the coronavirus pandemic.
He said the number of positive tests showed a definite increase in COVID-19 cases.
Osmani, assured the public that measures were being taken by the Ministry of Public Health to control a second wave.
“The plan that has been developed to prevent the second wave of the coronavirus in cooperation with relevant institutions is currently being implemented in 34 provinces,” Osmani said.
He also said that emergency committees have been reactivated and are working to fight the pandemic.
Osmani said that according to a Cabinet decision, wedding halls will be closed and only reopened in mid-December.
Wedding halls have been hotspots in the spread of the virus where hundreds of people gather to celebrate nuptials.
Osmani also called on everyone in the country to follow health guidelines, to wear face masks, avoid crowded places and wash their hands regularly.
He also said he was concerned about the caseloads in neighboring countries and urged Afghans not to travel to Iran and Pakistan unnecessarily.
Osmani recommended the public build up their immune systems and get enough vitamin D and vitamin C – especially with the onset of winter.
His announcement followed the daily update by the Ministry of Public Health on new COVID-19 cases.
On Wednesday, the ministry said 243 new cases had been reported in the past 24 hours, along with seven deaths and 135 recoveries.
The total number is now 43,924 cases; 1,645 deaths and 35,295 recoveries across the country.
Da Afghanistan Breshna Sherkat (DABS) officially introduced Al-Haj Mullah Abdul Haq Hamkar as its new Chief Executive Officer, following a special decree by the Islamic Emirate’s Supreme Leader Amir al-Mu’minin Sheikh Hibatullah Akhundzada.
The ceremony was attended by senior officials, including representatives from the Ministries of Defense and Interior, provincial authorities, national institutions, the former DABS CEO Abdul Bari Omar, and directors and staff of the company.
Speakers highlighted recent progress at DABS, efforts to improve transparency and services, and the company’s move from losses toward profitability. In his remarks, Hamkar emphasized the importance of orderly transfer of responsibilities, obedience to leadership, and expanding electricity services, noting the central role of power supply in daily life and economic development.
Amir Khan Mutaqi, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, met on Tuesday in Kabul with Georgette Gagnon, Officer-in-Charge of the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA).
According to a statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the meeting covered the upcoming visit of Rosemary DiCarlo, UN Under-Secretary-General for Political and Peacebuilding Affairs, to Kabul, as well as the progress and upcoming meetings of the Doha Process working groups on counter-narcotics and private sector support, and other related issues.
The statement added that Muttaqi said the Islamic Emirate has made satisfactory progress in the Doha Process working groups, but opposing parties have yet to achieve significant results regarding alternative livelihoods and banking issues.
He emphasized that it is necessary for the relevant parties to take effective steps in these areas to enable progress in other sectors as well.
Gagnon referred to DiCarlo’s visit at the end of this month and called for cooperation in this regard.
She also evaluated the outcomes of previous sessions of the two Doha Process working groups positively and noted that further attention would be given to these matters.
The federal government has approved the re-export of all Afghan transit trade consignments stranded at Karachi and Gwadar ports, offering relief to traders affected by prolonged border closures.
According to Pakistani media, traders will be allowed to re-export their Afghan transit shipments through any Pakistani seaport of their choice.
Sources said the commerce minister has formally conveyed the decision to the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR).
The measure aims to ease congestion and address disruptions caused by the suspension of trade routes.
Pakistan had earlier closed the Torkham and Chaman crossings for commercial activity due to security concerns, halting transit trade between the two countries from October 12.
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