KARACHI: The Sindh government on Tuesday restricted business timings to 10PM while issuing new guidelines to curb the transmission of COVID-19 in light of the threat posed by the new Omicron variant.
The Sindh Home Department, in a notification, said the National Command and Operations Centre had placed Karachi, Sukkur, and Sanghar in “category B” — cities with good vaccination progress — while other cities of the province fell under “category C” — cities with low vaccination progress.
The home department, in line with the NCOC’s recommendations, has therefore announced new curbs, which will be applicable from December 1-15:
- Indoor, outdoor gatherings allowed for vaccinated individuals. For Karachi, Sukkur and Sanghar the limit is 500 people for indoor events and 1,000 for outdoor. For the rest of the province it is 300 people for indoor and 1,000 for outdoor.
- Indoor dining allowed for vaccinated people till 11;59pm. 70pc occupancy for Karachi, Sukkur, and Sanghar and 50pc for the rest of the province.
- Outdoor dining is allowed for fully vaccinated citizens till 11:59pm.
- Markets and businesses can function till 10pm while essential services can operate 24/7.
- Shrines, indoor gyms and cinemas are open for fully vaccinated individuals.
Meanwhile, Amusement parks and swimming pools will operate at 70pc occupancy in Karachi, Sukkur and Sanghar and 50pc for the rest of the province. “Public parks will remain open under strict Covid-19 protocols,” the notification stated.
Routine office timings will be followed and 100pc attendance is permitted. The employees should be fully vaccinated, the notification stated. Public transport will be allowed at 80pc occupancy for vaccinated individuals only.
Railways will operate at 80pc occupancy for fully vaccinated individuals and wearing face masks will be mandatory, the notification added. However, the home department said all educational institutes of the province shall remain open until further directives.
On the other hand, Chief Secretary Sindh Mumtaz Ali Shah issued a high alert, directing all departments of the provincial government to take all necessary steps to curb the potential spread of the Omicron variant of Covid-19.
The letter noted that in today’s session of the National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC), it was highlighted “with great concern that we will only have 10 days before the new deadly variant Omicron would […] reach our country”.
Therefore, the Sindh chief secretary has directed the district administration to exhibit its full commitment to enforcing non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPIs) and take strict action against violators, the letter said. It added that a daily report of the actions taken by the district admin should be sent to the Home Department and the chief secretary.
