MULTAN: The Federal Board of Revenue has issued special instructions to all heads of field formation of Inland Revenue and Customs for adopting special measures to prevent corona virus (COVID-19).
Chief Management –Inland Revenue Dr. Tariq Ghani issues circular in which he stated that outbreak of corona virus (COVID-19) in China and its subsequent spread across the globe and detection of two confirmed cases in Pakistan.
It is imperative that in line with the directions of the Federal Government, all officers & staff of FBR be educated on the causes, symptoms and prevention measures to protect themselves as well as to educate the taxpayers and general population about the Corona virus.
The Federal Board of Revenue has directed all field formations of Customs Collectorates and Inland Revenue to display of precautionary measures including causes, symptoms and prevention for corona virus at conspicuous places. Placement of alcohol-based hand sanitizes at all places of public interactions for FBR Officers, employees and general public. Politely discourage personal greetings in forms of hugs and handshakes. The Federal Board of Revenue has directed to discontinue bio-metric attendance till culmination of Corona virus threat.
The Federal directed all field formation officers and staff to use face mask on mouth and nose to avoid corona virus .Avoid close contact with persons showing symptoms of Corona virus and washing of hands with at least 20 seconds
World Health Organization has compiled causes, symptoms and prevention’s of Corona virus .Coronavirus spreads primarily from person to person contact and CDC USA attributes that it spreads due to close contact of infected person within 6 feet or less. Prime cause of infection is airborne (water) droplets during sneezing and coughing of an already infected person.
Touching an area where an infected person has sneezed or coughed may also be avoided. Furthermore it may spread from consuming uncooked or under cooked animal organ meat. Persons with higher age bracket and persons with weakened immune system are also at most risk of said infection.
The Corona-virus may manifest symptoms within 2 days to 14 days after being contacted. As such a non-symptomatic person may also be carrying the virus. Common symptoms include combination of fever, cough and shortness of breath/breathing difficulties.
Most infected persons with Corona virus experience mild symptoms and recover. However in more severe cases, infection can cause pneumonia, severe acute respiratory syndrome, kidney failure and even death.