KARACHI: The government will not impose a lockdown today during congregational prayers on account of Jumatul Wida, the last Friday for the holy month of Ramazan.
Yesterday, Interior Minister Ijaz Shah appealed to follow the government’s standard operating procedures during Jumatul Wida and Eid congregations to prevent the spread of coronavirus.
In a video message, the interior minister said people should wear face masks, observe social distancing, and take other preventive measures during payers at mosques.
The minister said Prime Minister Imran Khan has eased lockdown to help the poor earn their livelihood. He said the easing of lockdown does not mean Coronavirus pandemic has ended.
The nation was observing a strict lockdown on Friday to restrict large gatherings during Friday congregational prayers. The restrictions have been waived as the government has eased lockdown and allowed the opening of malls and shopping centres.
At least 20 more people died of coronavirus in Sindh in the last 24 hours, including 16 in Karachi, two in Larkana and one each in Sukkur and Khairpur, bringing the death toll in the province to 336.
Sindh reported 960 new cases of the virus on Thursday, according to the health department. Of them, 856 were from Karachi alone. More than 6,000 samples were tested in the province in the last 24 hours.
The number of known coronavirus cases in Pakistan has exceeded 49,000 while the virus has killed over 1,000 people across the country.
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