Sindh CM expresses concern on violation of SOPs in markets

KARACHI: Chief Minister Sindh Syed Murad Ali Shah has expressed concerns over violation of standard operational procedures (SPOs), set by the Sindh government for markets which were reopened today after two month’s closure.

The shopkeepers across the country were allowed to open their shops on Monday with the permission of the federal and provincial governments after an agreement with the traders that they would ensure the implementation of SPOs.

The shops and markets had remained closed for about two months due to lockdown restrictions in the wake of coronavirus pandemic in the country.

Expressing concern on the situation, CM Murad Ali Shah said the markets were allowed to open under SOPs, adding that most of the shops and markets were crowded.

The chief minister said that cases were spiking across the province, therefore he has decided to set up a coronavirus hospital in Karachi’s Gulshan-E-Iqbal for which he has released Rs1.8 billion. “It will be a 400-bedded hospital with a 100-bedded ventilator facility,” CM added.

 Citing the current situation of the epidemic CM Murad said 537 new cases of the novel COVID-19 had reported in the province during the 24 hours, which was 14 percent of the testing capacity of the province.

He further said that out of the confirmed COVID-19 cases over the past day, 432 reported in the metropolis. 11 people have passed away from the COVID-19 across the province during the 24 hours, he added.

The death toll from the COVID-19 in the province reached 200 due to health complications caused by the virus, CM Shah said.

Murad Ali Shah said 22 new COVID-19 infections were confirmed in Sukkur, 19 in Shikarpur, 07 in Larkana and 04 Hyderabad. The c minister urged the citizens to continue following precautions to counter novel coronavirus.

He stressed that the government can only control the pandemic through cooperation by the people. He advised to maintain social distancing and to not unnecessarily visit markets.