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DPA
Kabul
The Afghan capital will be under a strict lockdown during this weekend’s Muslim festival of Eid al-Fitr to prevent any further outbreak of the novel coronavirus pandemic, Kabul Governor Mohammad Yaqub Haidari told reporters on Thursday.
Currently, the majority of people have broken the official lockdown in the country, many thinking the virus is not that serious. Few people are following the health guidelines.
Authorities warn of a “tragedy” if people refuse to stay at home during the Eid holiday and traditionally go to the houses of their relatives.
Deputy Health Minister Wahidullah Majroh said on Thursday that the number of affected people has escalated in the past few days and the intensive care units of all hospitals dealing with COVID-19 are occupied by patients.
“If the situation continues like this, we may see a major crisis and tragedy in Afghanistan in June and July,” the minister, himself just recovered, warned a day earlier.
However, the cabinet has approved a plan for easing the quarantine in the capital Kabul after Eid, Haidari said.
According to the plan, almost all business owners can operate in three different shifts during the day in the city. Private cars with even and odd number plates will be permitted on roads only on alternate days.
Restaurants, water pools, public baths, sports events, schools, government offices, and other populated areas will remain closed for the time being.
Afghanistan which has a fragile healthcare system has recorded nearly 8,700 cases of the coronavirus with 193 deaths nationwide.
With an estimated population of about 37 million people, only 26,700 people have been tested since the country reported its first case in February.
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22/05/2020
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