KARACHI: After the Sindh government announced a nine-day lockdown in Karachi today (Friday), Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah addressed a press conference to respond to concerns regarding the decision.
“It’s not a complete lockdown where we shut down everything barring no exception,” the Chief Minister said while addressing a press conference in Karachi along with Barrister Murtaza Wahab.
CM Sindh pointed out that it is being said that “the pandemic will end in nine days”, but what must be understood is that in this period hospitals will not choke. He added that doctors concurred that “something is better than nothing”.
He said that this period — which amounts to five actual days of lockdown as four days will be regular off days for businesses anyway — will cause minimum economic damage. He also noted that Karachi was the most affected city now, saying the virus spread fast in closed spaces and cases would multiply if measures were not taken to curb it.
Giving details regarding the lockdown, he added that pharmacies, grocers and dairy shops, and export industries would not come under the lockdown restrictions. However, he said the restaurant would remain open only for deliveries.
“The banks are open since they are regulated by the federal government but we will request them halving their staff to maintain social distancing”, he added. All the exams scheduled until next week, as long as the restriction-tightening is in place, are being postponed.
Courts will also continue to operate and the Pakistan Stock Exchange will be advised to continue business with limited staff. Groceries, bakeries, and meat and vegetable shops will remain open till 6pm.
The Sindh chief minister said that those wearing a mask “will not be caught”, whereas he “won’t be able to anyone found not wearing one”. The CM stressed the need to vaccinate against COVID, noting it is the only way to fight the rampant and disastrous delta variant.
“Our task force spoke with religious clerics yesterday wherein we convinced them to set up vaccination centers inside mosques to which many reassured us of their support”, the Chief Minister added.
He said even in the past the restrictive policies to resist and curb COVID graph were ridiculed but they produced positive results. “People who say no other country in the world is imposing lockdown are misguided”, he added.
Key decisions
- A ban on inter-city travel
- All markets will remain closed. However, pharmacies and groceries (till 6pm) will remain open.
- Restaurants will only be allowed to deliver food. No takeaway allowed.
- Exams cancelled during lockdown period
- No restriction on movement of citizens
- Vaccination cards of citizens roaming the streets will be checked
