The Petroleum Division confirmed on Saturday that one officer of the Ministry of Energy has been tested positive for the novel coronavirus.
The officer was posted in Petroleum House situated at G5 Islamabad.
“The officer is currently in isolation and all measures are being taken to provide best medical care to him,” said Petroleum Division spokesman.
Reportedly, the officer caught the infection from his household.
“The division is following all health advisories pertaining to corona pandemic,” the spokesman said. “The said officer is not attending office since 20th March 2020, and since then, no new case of infection has been reported.”
He said that all other employees are in good health and the ministry is in regular contact with NIH/NDMA.
NIH has been requested to conduct a test of employees working in Petroleum House and NDMA to fumigate the building. The Ministry of Energy has already advised all officers to work with minimum staff on a rotation basis and also issued a travel advisory across the division, taking full precautionary measures and suspending all non-essential travel amidst coronavirus crisis in the country.
EXTENSIVE SUPPORT
Meanwhile, in another statement, the Petroleum Division stated it has extended support to the government to curb COVID-19 pandemic in the country.
The latest addition came the Sui Northern Gas Pipeline Limited through allocation of Rs38 million for relief activities across the country. The company’s board has directed the officials to deposit Rs19 million in Prime Minister’s Relief Fund for Pandemic COVID-19 and committed Rs19 million to NDMA for procurement of medical supplies.
The Oil and Gas Development Company Limited has already deposited an amount of Rs53 million in Prime Minister’s Relief Fund. The company has also offered the hostel building in I9, Islamabad, to be utilised as quarantine/isolation unit along with the provision of medicines, 50 PPE kits for medical staff, food and well-equipped ambulance for established quarantine.
Similarly, Pakistan Petroleum Limited (PPL) has released a handout of Rs10 million for four districts of Sindh with the spirit of cash-support for procurement of necessary equipment in the province against COVID-19 pandemic.
Pakistan State Oil (PSO) has extended support of Rs50 million in Prime Minister’s Relief Fund with a spirit of national responsibility in this challenging time.
Both gas utilities, SNGPL and SSGC, have undertaken immediate measures to facilitate the people during the Covid-19 Pandemic. SNGPL Bill App, recently launched by company, helps the public to view their gas bills and pay the same through the mobile application. A similar mobile app will be made available by SSGC soon.
Moreover, gas bills of next crucial months can be paid through three easy instalments amid COVID-19 crisis.
In addition, the prices of petroleum products have already been reduced by Rs15 to provide relief to the common man and was a part of the economic relief package announced by the PM.
