Smart lockdown imposed in 18 more areas of Karachi

KARACHI: Sindh government has Imposed Smart lockdown in 18 more areas of Karachi’s South District from today (Friday) till July 16, to limit the spread of the COVID-19 in the provincial.

According to a notification issued by the provincial government, the areas identified for the smart lockdown include Clifton, Defense, Lyari, Kharadar and Garden.

The areas of Kharadar under lockdown include Machhi Miani Market and Khori Garden, whereas, Dolly Khata, Shoe Market, Hari Masjid and Jilani Masjid areas in Garden West and Bazarta line in Saddar will also be sealed undergo a lockdown from today.

Furthermore, all commercial areas of Khayaban-e-Rahat in Defence will remain completely closed, whereas, business centers in Clifton Block 4 and 5 will remain closed. The Bath Island area will undergo a complete lockdown.

Under the imposition of the complete lockdown, citizens will not be permitted to leave the house or roam outdoors without a mask and will not be permitted to leave the house without a legitimate reason.

Only one person in the household will be allowed to buy items of daily use by showing his/her ID card, the notification said.

In case of emergency, only one caregiver will be allowed to go out with the patient, moreover, pillion riding and all sorts of public transport will be banned.

With all businesses and shops — except grocery and medical stores —closed, industries in virus-affected areas will also remain shut and hotels, restaurants, takeaways and food delivery in the identified areas will remain suspended.

The deputy commissioners will be responsible for implementing the lockdown in the areas and those found violating the lockdown will face action in accordance with the law.

The coronavirus recoveries in Pakistan are now above 100,000, while the number of total confirmed cases has passed 217,000.

The number of confirmed coronavirus cases has surged to 217,809 in the country, while the death toll stands at 4,473.  According to the National Command and Control Center (NCOC), more than 4,339 cases of coronavirus were reported while 78 people succumbed to the disease in the last 24 hours.

As many as 104,694 patients have recovered from the disease, while the country is still witnessing a consistent rise in the COVID-19 cases.

According to official statistics, Pakistan, which recorded over 130,000 COVID-19 cases in June alone, has conducted more than 1.3 million tests so far.