Today was the last day of the COVID-19 lockdown in Sindh province and Sunday was a closed day in Karachi.
If we review this span of lockdown, it remained ineffective as the number of positive cases in Karachi could not come down below 20 per cent. Similarly, there was a rise in cases in Hyderabad as well.
According to official statistics, 1,655 new coronavirus cases and 26 deaths were reported in Sindh during the last 24 hours on Sindh.
A chief minister’s office handout issued stated that during 24 hours, a total of 17,625 tests were conducted and the positivity rate remained at 20 per cent.
Despite the closure of markets and big departmental stores in major cities, especially in Karachi, people continued to avoid following SOPs including warning masks at public places and keeping social distancing.
As there was no ban on every type of inter and intra-city transport people could have been seen commuting by sitting closely in public transport vehicles. The biggest city of Pakistan does not have any public transport system leaves along with mass transit, so people are compelled to use Ching-chi rickshaws (which accommodate 8 persons – six on two seats at the back and two seats with the driver).
People continue to travel in these types of public transport vehicles and there was a blatant violation of SOPs in all vehicles.
This time the government kept closing down the big marts and departmental stores like Metro, Bin Hashim, Al-Jadeed etc. despite the fact in that last year’s lockdown they remained open with strict SOPs. But there was a rush at the department stores and vendors of fruits and vegetables. The medical stores, meat shops, bakeries and Tandoors remained open and people violated SOP thereby not keeping social distancing and avoiding wearing masks.
Meanwhile, the Sindh government announced on Sunday new COVID-19 standard operating procedures that will remain in effect from August 9 to Aug 31, relaxing some of the restrictions as its partial lockdown comes to an end. They include:
- Markets and businesses to function until 8pm, except essential services
- Indoor dining to remain banned. Outdoor dining (till 10pm), takeaway and delivery will be allowed
- Friday and Sunday are to be observed as closed days
- Indoor weddings will be banned; outdoor weddings will be allowed with a maximum of 300 guests until 10pm
- Shrines and cinemas to remain closed
- Indoor gyms to be allowed for vaccinated individuals only
- Offices and public transport to operate at 50 per cent capacity
- District administrations may impose broader lockdowns in specific areas based on the risk.
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