Sindh govt notifies shutting down inter-city bus service for 15 days

The Sindh government’s transport department on Wednesday issued a formal notification to shut down inter-city public transport service in the province for 15 days from Thursday (today) as part of the precautionary steps to slow down the transmission of coronavirus in the province.

The decision to this effect had been reached in a meeting of a task force on coronavirus epidemic chaired by Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah on Tuesday.

The notification issued by the transport department addressed the Sindh inspector general of police, all divisional commissioners, additional inspector general of police (traffic) Karachi, deputy commissioners, senior superintendents of police, the secretary of the Sindh Transport Authority, and other officials.

The notification states: “In pursuance of the order No. SO (Jud-I) HD/8-1 (04)2020-Corona, dated 17th March, 2020 of the Home Department, Government of Sindh, regarding the suspension of the inter-city public transport for passengers for a period of 15 days w.e.f from 19th March, 2020 except transport of goods related to essential viz eatables, drugs, etc, for the prevention of spread of coronavirus. It is, therefore, requested to follow the instructions of the home department, Government of Sindh, for prevention of spread of coronavirus in letter and spirit.”

Tuesday’s meeting was attended by provincial ministers, chief secretary, IGP Sindh, provincial secretaries, commissioner Karachi, representatives of Corps 5, Rangers, FIA, Airport authorities, Civil Aviation, WHO, representatives of Aga Khan and Indus hospitals, Mushtaq Chapra, Faisal Edhi, Shahzad Roy among others.

Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah d=decided to establish a Coronavirus Relief Fund of Rs3 billion and announced to donate one-month salary. All of those present at the cabinet meeting followed suit.

The chief minister said that coronavirus has started to spread through social contacts in Karachi and other areas of the province. “If we fail to take strict measures in time, it is bound to affect the entire province and then our health facilities would fall short to provide medical treatment,” he said.