US peace envoy Zalmay Khalilzad tweeted today that the Afghan government and Taliban held a meeting over the prisoner release and peace process, saying thallbsides took the threat of the corovirus seriously. Today Ghani spoke to nation about virus, calling for unity. And Abdullah's camp said that mediation efforts with Ghani team were underway.

Khalilzad tweeted the following thread:

"Today, the US and Qatar facilitated the first Afghan government to Taliban technical talks on prisoner releases, via Skype video conferencing."

"Prisoner releases by both sides is an important step in the peace process, as stated in the US-Taliban agreement. And critical for humanitarian reasons."

"The over two-hour technical discussion today was important, serious, and detailed. My thanks to all sides. Everyone clearly understands the coronavirus threat makes prisoner releases that much more urgent."

"All sides conveyed their strong commitment to a reduction of violence, intra-Afghan negotiations, and a comprehensive and permanent ceasefire. We have also agreed to a follow-on technical meeting in the next two days."

Meanwhile, President Ashraf Ghani on Sunday called on the nation to stay united to overcome the coronavirus crisis in the country while assuring the people that it will be managed in a coordinated way.

The coronavirus outbreak comes amid deep political tensions between Afghan leaders caused by disputed election results that were announced in February.

Afghanistan has reported 34 positive cases of COVID-19 so far.

“Anytime that Afghanistan has been faced with a tough situation, it has moved forward with unity and harmony. The coronavirus is an international crisis. We will once again use our ability to manage this crisis,” Ghani said in an address to the nation, while wearing a face mask and gloves.

Abdullah Abdullah’s aides said mediators have started efforts to break the political deadlock, and, in a new development, Abdullah’s team has paused efforts to form its "inclusive" ie. parallel government. But they mentioned that the efforts will resume if the political crisis remains unsolved.

“Some decrees have been signed--have been issued--but (efforts) have been stopped in response to the demand of mediators,” Abdullah’s aide Fazal Ahmad Manawi said. “You might witness more action in the near future.”

There have been many appeals to Abdullah and Ghani from diverse segments of the population to end their rift and focus on other matters, including the campaign against the coronavirus.

“Under the current situation, there is a need--as all people expect--for Mr. Abdullah and Mr. Ghani to end this tension,” said Mufti Shams-Ur-Rahman, a member of Afghanistan’s Religious Scholars Council.

As part of the government’s efforts to slow the spread of the coronavirus, Ghani announced on Sunday that government employees’ shifts will be divided into two – from 8am to 1pm and from 1pm to 4pm – effective on Monday.