COVID-19: India Shifts Diplomats To Kabul From Herat, Jalalabad As Coronavirus Cases Surge In Afghanistan

In the wake of surging coronavirus cases in Afghanistan, India has decided to shift its diplomats and consulates from Herat and Jalalabad to Kabul, news agency ANI reports quoting government sources. According to latest updates, Afghanistan, which also shares border with Iran, reported 110 cases of coronavirus as of Saturday. In order to contain the spread of COVID-19, Kabul on Friday imposed a nationwide lockdown. Following the lockdown orders, all public and private offices and markets except supplying essential products have been closed until further notice in Afghanistan.

The sources said that the shifting of Indian staff was being done as a precautionary measure following the swelling number of coronavirus cases in Afghanistan.

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"Better facilities in capital Kabul is also another reason for shifting the diplomats," the sources added.

Earlier, four service members of the NATO-led Resolute Support mission in Afghanistan tested positive for the COVID-19, Anadolu Agency reported.

According to health officials, if coronavirus transmission is not contained in Afghanistan’s Kabul, it would put over 5 million people at risk.

Moreover, the first case of coronavirus was reported in Wuhan in last December and now it has spread to at least 195 countries.

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According to latest update over 607,900 cases of coronavirus have been reported worldwide since last December, with the death toll above 28,600 and over 135,600 recoveries.

In India, the number of confirmed coronavirus cases has crossed 1,000 with 25 deaths so far. On the other hand, Pakistan has reported 1,500 cases of COVID-19 with 12 deaths as of Saturday.

(With inputs from Agencies)