APRA expresses concern over restaurant closures in Sindh

KARACHI: All Pakistan Restaurant Association (APRA) Chairman Baber Nehal has expressed deep concern over the closure of several restaurants by the Sindh government in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.  

“The coronavirus outbreak is by no means due to restaurants,” he said in a statement, adding that the restaurants that have been closed should be reopened immediately.

APRA chairman also urged the restaurant staff as well as the customers to abide by the SOPs, so that the efforts of the Sindh government to prevent the coronavius epidemic can be made effective.

“Schools, government and private offices are open but where is the justice in closing restaurants in the name of corona?” adding that the increase in coronavirus infections is due to an increase in a testing capacity.

APRA chairman further said that after a prolonged lockdown, the government has allowed restaurants to reopen from August 20, 2020 and since then, APRA members have been strictly adhering to restaurant SOPs.

He also said that the closure of restaurants would further destroy the industry, which had already suffered huge financial losses during the lockdown.

Babar Nehal appealed to the Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah to take notice of the implementation of SOPs instead of closing down the restaurants and allow the reopening of the closed restaurants to save the industry from further devastation.