KARACHI: The Pakistan Railways (PR) has limited the operation of the passenger trains in wake of the deadly Covid-19 third wave.
According to sources, the railways took the decision following a surge in the country’s COVID-19 cases and deaths. Sources informed that the railways’ authorities have suspended the operation of four trains in order to curtail the spread of Covid-19.
The suspended trains are Karachi Express, Pak-Business Express, Green Line Express and Karachi to Lahore Jinnah Express. The passengers of suspended trains will be adjusted into other trains, according to the sources.
Sources said that passengers of Green Line Express would be adjusted into Sir Syed Express while Karakoram Express will carry the passengers of Jinnah and Pak Business express.
However, from May 4, the situation will start to improve and bookings will start in the railway trains from May 5, sources added.
The Pakistan Railways has directed all divisional superintendents to ensure train bookings do not exceed the capacity, implement coronavirus SOPs, and not let any passengers onboard without a mask.
The death toll from the novel coronavirus has surpassed the grim landmark of 18,000 on Sunday as another 113 people lost their lives from the disease.
According to the National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC), Pakistan reported another 4,414 cases and 113 deaths in the previous 24-hour period day. The national tally of coronavirus cases has reached 829,933 while the death toll stands at 18,070.
There were 45,275 samples were tested in the past day, while the positivity ratio was 9.74 percent. Overall 722,202 people have recovered from the virus, including 5,193 in the past day. The number of active cases has reached 89,661 while there are 5,448 people remain in critical condition.
Punjab remains the most affected region and the only province to have recorded over 300,000 cases. There are 304,889 cases and 8,550 deaths, while the number of active cases in the province stands at 46,306. Islamabad has recorded 75,892 cases and 691 deaths while there are 12,242active cases in the federal capital.
The number of coronavirus cases in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa stands at 119,277 and 3,350 deaths while there are 12,006 active cases in the province. Sindh has recorded 284,738 cases and 4,658 deaths while Balochistan has recorded 22,528 cases and 237 deaths.
