<p>KANDAHAR CITY (Pajhwok): <a href="/en/pakistan" class="glossify-link">Pakistan</a> on Monday closed the Chaman-Spin Boldak Friendship Gate (crossing point between the two countries) over fears of Coronavirus outbreak, officials said.</p>
<p>Officials and people in southern Kandahar province said the closure of the Chaman-Boldak crossing would hamper trade on both sides.</p>
<p>Sharif Gharzai, border security forces commissar, said that the Pakistani side closed the Chaman-Boldak Road for all movement today.</p>
<p>He said Pakistani officials had said they will keep the crossing closed for at least one week due to coronavirus cases.</p>
<p>Governor’s spokesperson Baheer Ahmadi said that the closure of Boldak crossing would have a negative impact on people and businesses.</p>
<p>He said the provincial government had already assigned two teams to check people entering <a href="/en/afghanistan" class="glossify-link">Afghanistan</a> and in a fresh move two more teams were dispatched to the site.</p>
<p>Eng. Abdul BaqiBena, head of the Kandahar Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) said that Pakistan closed the crossing at a time dry fruit was exported to the country. He hoped Pakistan will not keep the gate shut for more than one week.</p>
<p>Sharifullah, a businessman, said Pakistan could intensify its efforts to control the outbreak of deadly disease instead of closing the gate.</p>
<p>This comes as the Public <a href="/en/health" class="glossify-link">Health</a> Ministry has so far confirmed only one positive coronavirus case and the number of suspected cases has reached 77 across the country.</p>
<p>nh/ma</p>
