New thermal scanners installed at major airports to detect coronavirus patients.

ISLAMABAD -- The government has installed new state-of-the-art thermal scanners at four major airports of the country to detect passengers with signs of coronavirus, as health authorities step up their defences against the disease.

According to an official of the Ministry of National Health Services, these thermal scanners had been installed at airports of Islamabad, Karachi, Lahore and Peshawar as precautions aimed at curbing the spread of the coronavirus to the country from incoming passengers.

He said that these screening devices were functional in the arrivals walkway of the airports. The decision of installing these devices was made after the government announced that it would be increasing health oversight in the airports keeping in view the reporting of coronavirus cases in neighbouring and other countries.

The scanners measure a person's body temperature, and any individuals seen to be suffering from a fever is then approached by health authorities and a mouth swab test is administered on the person. This can determine whether the person is suffering from the coronavirus.

He said that with this the screening process of suspected coronavirus patients had become more effective and useful. He said that this latest system would help deployed health staff to easily detect the coronavirus patients at entry points of airports.

The official said that new signs and posters have been placed at airports informing passengers about being potentially tested. Earlier, there were complaints on performance of thermal devices and its limited functions.

He said that the government would take all actions keeping the protection of the health of people supreme and guided by the science of public health. 'We are working round the clock and maintaining high level of vigilance to counter the public...