KARACHI, May 23 (NNI): Chief Minister Sindh Syed Murad Ali Shah has announced that educational institutions, wedding halls and parks across Sindh including Karachi will remain completely closed for the next 15 days.

In a media briefing on Sunday, the Sindh Chief Minister said that the infection rate in Karachi has climbed above 13% during Eid holidays. “On the first day of Shawal, 831 coronavirus cases were reported.”

He said that indoor and outdoor dining will also be completely banned in restaurants. The public has to implement SOPs to avoid tough decisions.

Murad Ali Shah said that since Eid-ul-Fitr, the situation of coronavirus in the province including Karachi has become very worrying. He said that the situation would not have been so bad if the federation had accepted the proposal to close inter-provincial transport.

CM said that steps have been taken as per the recommendations of the Corona Task Force which will be implemented from May 24. Educational institutions will remain closed for the next two weeks, he added.

“At this point in time we can’t afford any relaxations,” he pointed out. “This is the time of caution and we will take difficult decisions if we have to.”

The chief minister said that markets, malls, and shops in the province will now be allowed to stay open from 6am to 6pm. Other restrictions include: All recreational places, including Sea View and Hawke’s Bay beaches, amusement parks will remain closed. However, park tracks will be open for walking/jogging purposes; Intercity transport will operate at 50% capacity. In case of a violation, transporters will be heavily fined; Education Ministry will take necessary measures to vaccinate all teachers; Pharmacies allowed to stay open 24/7 except the ones inside malls; Outdoor dining, gatherings, weddings banned; Takeaway and delivery allowed; and Shopkeepers to be fined on SOP violations.

Shah said that the restrictions were announced keeping in view the virus trend last on last Eid. He urged people to get vaccinated. “But don’t stop wearing masks once you’re immunised.”

Sindh Health Minister Azra Pechuho said that mobile vaccination will soon commence in the province, while home vaccination has already begun. New vaccine consignments will reach the province in the upcoming week, she added.

Debunking rumors about vaccines, medical experts at the briefing said that the side effects of vaccines in Pakistan have been rare and this should not stop people from getting inoculated.

Concluding the meeting, CM Shah promised that once the cases go down, life in the province will go back to normal, but for now, it’s extremely important to adhere to the precautionary measures. “This is the only way to defeat the virus,” he added.

Murad Ali Shah alleged that the water supply was further reduced when the Sindh government protested against getting less water from its share. The water supply to Sindh has been reduced by 35% to 37% while the supply to Punjab has been improved, said CM. NNI