KARACHI: The Sindh government, on the advice of the National Command and Operations Centre (NCOC), relaxed the COVID-19 restrictions put in place to contain the spread of coronavirus amid the fourth wave fuelled by the more contagious Delta variant of the virus.
A notification issued today (Sunday) by the provincial home department said that the new restrictions are set to take effect on Monday, August 9 and will last till August 31.
According to the revised restrictions, markets and business activities can continue till 8pm instead of 6pm. It said that the ban on indoor dining would continue however, outdoor dining will be allowed under strict COVID-19 protocol till 10pm. “Take away and home delivery are allowed 24/7,” it added.
The provincial government also banned indoor weddings with effect from Monday. However, it allowed outdoor weddings with a maximum of 300 guests under the strict implementation of Covid standard operating procedures (SOPs).
The notification further stated that the closure of shrines and cinemas would continue in the province. It further said that all amusement parks, water sports and swimming pools will remain closed in the province. However, it added that public parks can remain open under strict Covid protocols.
Public transport to run on sanctioned routes with 50% occupancy. Railway services will also continue with 50% occupancy, subject to enforcement of strict safety protocols and vaccination of all staff.
“Tourism activities will only be allowed for vaccinated individuals. Domestic airlines will no longer serve meals or snacks,” the notification added.
School reopening and inter exams
Earlier in the day, Sindh Education Minister Syed Sardar Ali Shah announced that school and colleges will remain closed till August 19 in view of the rising coronavirus infection across the province.
“The decision has been taken that we will keep schools closed till Aug 19 as well as colleges,” the education minister said while addressing a press conference in Karachi along with MPA Ismail Rahu.
A notification in this regard has also been issued by Sindh government’s school education and literacy department. “All public and private educational institutions under its administrative control would remain closed till Aug 19 due to the prevailing Covid-19 situation”, it added.
The Sindh government had closed schools across the province on July 24 due to the rising number of Covid-19 cases although it had said that exams would take place according to schedule.
The minister further announced that intermediate exams that had been postponed due to the lockdown will be taken from August 10, reiterating that the government would not allow cheating at any cost.
