Lockdown to be eased starting Monday: CM Murad

KARACHI: Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah has announced to ease the lockdown, imposed to prevent coronavirus, based on the instructions of the federal government from Monday.

Addressing a press conference today (Friday), the federal government announced to ease the lockdown from Saturday onwards.

However, he said that there will be complete lockdown on Saturdays and Sundays. He also informed that the guidelines will be followed until May 31, 2020.

He said that the following decisions were made by the Centre with the provinces.

1. The economic activity will resume for industries related to the construction.

2. Selective OPDs will be opened.

3. Shops will remain open from Fajr to 5 pm.

4. Saturday and Sunday will be ‘safe days’ with a 100 percent lockdown. Essential services, however, will remain open.

5. Neighbourhood shops in residential areas or standalone shops (excluding malls and departmental stores) will be opened too.

Places that will remain closed after the provinces begin to lift their lockdown.

1. All industries and businesses not cleared for opening before May 9.

2. Shopping malls and plazas.

3. Educational institutes.

4. Restaurants, hotels, wedding halls, cinemas, places of large gatherings.

5. Public processions and public congregations.

6. Organised sports events and concerts.

Commenting on the statistics, CM Murad informed that almost 598 cases have emerged in the province over the past 24 hours. The virus also claimed lives of almost 5 people.

CM Murad Ali Shah said, “The total number of cases in the province is 9,691, while the death toll is 176,” adding, “Sindh has conducted 5,532 tests today.”

The Chief Minister also clarified that the federal and provincial governments were working together despite differences. He said, “Some people think the Sindh government is working in isolation that is not the case. We are working with the federal government.”

“The federal government doesn’t like some steps we propose and we don’t agree with some of their suggestions. But we are working together,” he informed. He further said that he had advised the federal government not to make decisions under the influence of emotions.

Commenting on easing the lockdown, he said that the government has taken different approaches to handle the coronavirus before making the decision to ease restrictions.

He said, “The government noted that Iran had imposed a lockdown when cases started to rise in the country and introduced relaxations once the number of cases started to decrease.”

“Germany and Italy also imposed the lockdown after cases started to peak but now they have started lifting restrictions as the curve is flattening,” he added.

CM Murad also underscored that Pakistan imposed a lockdown as soon as the first case was reported which prevented the curve to take a steep upwards turn.

The Chief Minister also urged the citizens to stay at home as much as possible even as the province moves towards easing lockdown.

“If you are allowed to leave your homes, and then make sure to follow the standard operating procedures (SOPs), and most importantly wear a mask,” he urged.

CM Murad Ali Shah further urged citizens to take extra care when they are around the elderly, who are more susceptible to respiratory illness.