Sindh extends lockdown till April 14

In a new notification issued on Thursday night, the home department announced all restrictions which will remain in place until April 14 in the province. The Sindh government said the restrictions announced in the notification were necessary to curb the coronavirus spread.

“In exercise of powers under section 3(1) of the Sindh Epidemic Diseases Act 2014 (The Sindh Act VIII of 2015) and in supersession of all previous orders,” the notification reads, the Sindh government “issues following directions, regulations and necessary measures to be observed and adopted by all.”

Complete closure

All educational institutions, including schools, colleges, technical and vocational institutes, universities, coaching centres, madrasas will remain closed until April 14 along with shopping malls, cinema halls, marriage halls, banquet halls, marques, lawns, clubs, hotels, auditoriums, farm Houses, beaches, electronic markets, showrooms, boutiques, beauty parlours and other outlets.

Congregational prayers

Only three to five persons designated for mosque, such as imam, moazzin, caretakers, will offer namaz in mosques, while the public will offer their namaz at home “as per the directions and guidance of the religious scholars”. However, the presence of limited people will be allowed in funeral prayers, with adopting social distance and getting permission from the relevant SHO.

These restrictions on religious gathering apply in a similar manner to the religious places of other religions.

8am to 5pm

All shops and manufacturing units, including grocery stores and food outlets, will open between 8am and 5pm. Medical stores situated in malls and superstores, except such medical stores situated in or adjacent to hospitals and health facilities, will follow the partial ban. Milk shops may be open from 5am to 8pm. Pet shops will open from 12 noon to 2pm for only the feeding of pets kept therein, with no sale or purchase allowed. There shall be a complete ban on all public movement and activities from 12pm to 3pm on Friday.

Exemption

The ban is not applicable to persons requiring emergency medical care. Kaw enforcers, doctors and medical staff are also exempted along with the technical staff associated with electricity, gas, water and sewerage related services.

The ban is not for the cleaning municipal staff when on duty and persons on carrying essential goods and giving permitted service with one helper and cleaner (no passenger allowed on the goods transport). Newspaper sorting and distribution may start from 5am.

Further orders

Maximum two persons in a car, with a third allowed in case of a sick person requiring attendance. No industry or service is allowed to operate except food and related shops, manufacturers and distributors.

The Welfare organisations registered and permitted for distribution of ration and relief goods are allowed to work in coordination with the district administration and the LEAs. The telecom and cellular companies' technical staff are allowed to work for maintenance with limited admin staff.

The notification said anyone found disobeying the order shall be deemed to have committed an offence punishable under section 188 of the Pakistan Penal Code as provided under Section-4 of the said Act.

The deputy commissioners and assistant commissioners as well as personal of the law enforcing agencies, above the rank of inspector or equivalent, are empowered to take legal action against the violators.