Coronavirus: CAA takes notice of screening complaints at Lahore, Karachi airports

Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) on Thursday said the authority has taken notice of the complaints received regarding the screening process at Lahore and Karachi airports.

A CAA official shared that the passengers were being checked with a thermal screen and thermal gun at Karachi’s Jinnah International Airport. 

He added that the health ministry officials are also checking whether passengers have flu or not. "The screening of passengers was being done under strict supervision at all the international airports." 

“International passengers have to fill out a health declaration from,” said the official. He added that the passengers cannot leave the airport without filling the form.

Meanwhile, a health ministry official has defended the efficiency of thermal screens and the procedures adopted at the airports.

“Thermal screens are capable of detecting an infected person from 50 feet,” said the official. He added that once a suspected person is identified they are checked with a thermal gun.

“People found with coronavirus are then kept under isolation,” the official explained. He added that so far 1 million people have been screened for the coronavirus at the airports.

The statement by the CAA and health ministry officials comes after the Sindh government on Tuesday blamed the federal government for taking inadequate measures at airports due to which coronavirus cases have increased in the province.

“There needs to more effective screening at the airports,” Sindh government spokesperson Murtaza Wahab said while addressing a press conference in Karachi.

“Seaports and airports fall under the centre’s control. From day one, the Sindh government has been asking the federal government to have better monitoring at the airports,” Wahab complained.

Wahab added that if there had been stricter measures and better screening at the airports, there would not have been these many cases in the country.

“The chief minister has repeatedly asked for better screening at the airports,” the spokesperson said.