The Sindh government on Wednesday, in a major relaxation for restaurant owners, has allowed the resumption of takeaway service during the Eid-ul-Fitr holidays with strict Covid-19 SOPs in place.
Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah issued instructions to keep vaccination centres in the province open during the holidays as well.
The federal government had earlier that vaccination centres would remain closed for two days on account of Eid.Chairing the meeting of Provincial Task Force on Coronavirus, the chief minister also gave instructions for the establishment of vaccination centres in Hyderabad, Mirpurkhas and other districts of the province after Eid.The participants of the meeting were briefed on the latest pandemic situation across the province and the vaccination process.
A comparison of coronavirus cases during the holidays of last Eid-ul-Fitr was made and the participants were informed that a 30 per cent increase in coronavirus cases was recorded during the last Eid holidays.
The last Eidwas celebrated on May 24, 2020 and on that day, there were 846 or 15 per cent positive cases.
Just after Eid, the meeting was informed, the ratio of positive cases went on increasing and within 18 days, it surged to 3,038 cases, which amounted to a 30 per cent spike.
The meeting observed that the reason behind the abnormal spike in cases was the violation of SOPs by masses.
Therefore, the chief minister urged people to celebrate Eid with their immediate family members and avoid meeting relatives.
“This is the only way to protect everyone,” he said.The chief minister, in consultation with the participants of the meeting, decided to allow restaurants to offer take away service but with strict compliance of coronavirus SOPs.
As per the SOPs, at the restaurant, nobody would get out of the vehicle to collect the food, but they would be provided the food by the restaurant staff. And no restaurant would place chairs for dining or even for just sitting.
“We would seal restaurants in case of violation of the SOPs,” CM Shah said.
The meeting was attended by provincial ministers, DrAzraFazalPechuho, Syed Nasir Shah, Jam Ikram, Advisor Law MurtazaWahab, Parliamentary Secretary QasimSirajSoomro, Chief secretary Mumtaz Shah, IG Sindh Mushtaq Maher, ACS Home Usman Chachar, Commissioner Karachi Naveed Shaikh, PSCM Sajid Jamal Abro, Commissioner Karachi Naveed Shaikh, Adl IG Karachi Imran Minhas, Secretary Finance Hassan Naqvi, Secretary School Education Ahmed BuxNarejo, Secretary Health KazimJatoi , Dr Bari, Dr Faisal, DrSajjadQaiser, VC Dow Dr Saeed Qureshi and representatives of Corps 5, Rangers and WHO.
