Afghan capital placed on lockdown for 3 weeks

Sayed Amin Alemi
Press TV, Kabul

The Afghan government has placed the capital Kabul under lockdown for three weeks in a bid to contain the spread of the novel coronavirus. Authorities have warned of a severe punishment for those who may break the order to stay at home.

Afghan authorities are concerned about the rising number of infection cases across the country, mainly in the capital Kabul. The epidemic has prompted the government to enforce a 3-week lockdown across Kabul and its districts.

Dozens of positive cases of COVID-19 have been confirmed across Afghanistan so far. 29 of the 34 provinces are battling the crisis. And the numbers are on the rise. Afghan police officials say those who may want to break the quarantine will be dealt with by force.

Despite numerous attempts by different governmental and non-governmental bodies to unite the people in fighting the pandemic, it seems that some Kabul residents have not taken the COVID-19 threat seriously as they are still busy with their daily activities.

The Afghan government has earmarked some 25 million dollars to battle the disease. Some hospitals have also been opened across some big cities mainly in Kabul and Herat which are the epicenters of the disease.

However it seems to be hard for the Afghan government to confront the disease properly due to lack of health equipment.

The Afghan government has also called for help from owners of places like educational centers, playgrounds and wedding halls in case of a sharp increase in the number of corona virus-positive cases. As health authorities say, such places will be used as hospitals for COVID-19 patients.

Press TV’s website can also be accessed at the following alternate addresses:

www.presstv.co.uk