Health dept for closing primary schools, banning indoor dining

In view of the growing number of Covid-19 cases in Sindh, the health department has suggested closing primary schools, banning indoor dining and returning to two safe days a week, Chief Secretary Syed Mumtaz Ali Shah said on Monday.

The CS chaired a meeting on the coronavirus situation in the province, during which he said that the proposals of the health department will be presented to the Covid-19 task force to be discussed in their next meeting.

Shah said that all marriage halls, eateries, cattle markets and other markets found to be violating the Covid-19 standard operating procedures will be sealed. He directed all the commissioners and deputy commissioners to take strict action against all violators.

He also directed all the divisional commissioners, including the Karachi commissioner, to enforce smart lockdowns in the areas where the cases of the coronavirus are on the rise.

Health Secretary Kazim Hussain Jatoi suggested closing primary schools, banning indoor dining, ordering minimum attendance at wedding halls and observing a complete closure of business activities two days a week.

The CS said that the proposals of the health department will be presented in the meeting of the task force headed by the province’s chief minister.

Health department officials said that 3.35 million people have been vaccinated in the province. “Vaccination is being carried out in the province through the PPHI [Peoples Primary Healthcare Initiative], 647 vaccination centres of the health department and 347 mobile teams,” said Jatoi.

The CS directed all the commissioners and deputy commissioners to complete the target of vaccination, saying that every measure should be taken to stop the spread of the coronavirus. He also directed the health authorities and deputy commissioners to increase mobile teams for vaccination.