Karachi: The Sindh government on Thursday extended its ongoing coronavirus lockdown till the end of Ramzan to prevent further disease spread, a news source reported. In addition, the provincial Emergency Fund Committee has approved funds worth PKR 30 million for the establishment of a 300-bed field hospital in the city’s Pakistan Air Force (PAF) Museum facility.
According to the information available, grocery and food stores have been allowed to remain operational from 8 AM to 5 PM, while milk shops can remain open from 8 AM to 8 PM. On the other hand, eateries will be permitted to conduct home delivery services from 5 PM to 10 PM, while bakeries will be allowed to remain open until 5 PM only.
The Ehtaram-e-Ramzan Ordinance will continue to be implemented but congregational prayers in mosques have been disallowed for the time being. Moreover, markets and businesses have been allowed to sell their goods online, while only selected export-oriented industries have been allowed to operate.
In addition to the field hospital, Sindh Chief Minister (CM) Syed Mumtaz Ali Shah chaired a meeting, which approved the allocation of PKR 720 million from the emergency fund to buy essential equipment to fight the spread of the coronavirus pandemic; including machinery, laboratory apparatus, and personal protection kits. The session also approved the release of funds worth PKR 500 million to be utilized for the upgradation of public hospitals across the province.
