On way back, 100 Indians screened at Attari border

AMRITSAR : Three days after the Centre suspended cross-border trade and movement of passengers through the Attari integrated check post (ICP) near Amritsar till April 15 as a precautionary measure against coronavirus, 100 Indians, including 15 Kashmiris studying in Pakistan, have returned to India through the route.

“From Saturday to Monday, 100 Indians have returned though the border. Fifteen Kashmiri students, studying in Pakistan, were among them. A special team of doctors screened and checked them thoroughly at the border. No one was found with symptoms,” said a customs official.

Hundreds of Kashmiri students are in Pakistan, which had closed educational institutions across the country for the next three weeks. “On Friday, 60 Kashmiri students had returned to India,” said a source at the Attari border adding that more were expected to return on Tuesday.

Civil surgeon Dr Prabhdeep Kaur Johal said Indians returning from Pakistan and Afghanistan were being screened at the border. “Anyone found having symptoms will be quarantined in isolation wards,” she said, adding that Indians who returning from the seven worst-hit countries through the land border will be quarantined for at least 15 days.

COUGH OR COLD? DIAL 104 FOR HELP

People have been advised to avoid non-essential travel. Those having cough, sneezing and fever should contact 104, the medical helpline of the health and family welfare department