The Sindh government has enforced a ban over indoor wedding functions, gymnasiums, and restaurant while only allowing an exception for ceremonies being held outside amid the second wave of Covid-19.
The government has decreed that all business activities, except essential service providers and shops, will remain under lockdown on Fridays and Sundays.
However, shopkeepers, businesses continue to carry out their dealings later into the evening on Tuesday despite Sindh government orders to end all business activities by 6 pm. The notification reads that wedding functions will only be allowed outdoors with a maximum guest capacity of 200 people. Notification by Sindh government issues new directives amid second Covid-19 wave announcing ban on indoor activities
The notification says wedding functions will have to conclude by 9 PM while only buffet service will be allowed to serve guests.
According to new instruction, all indoor activities including businesses centres, gyms, shrines will be banned while offices, both public and private offices will be allowed only 50 per cent of their staff with strict SOPs in place while the remaining will be working from home.
It also directed that business activities will only be allowed from 6 am to 6 pm with weekends off.
Moreover, the indoor dining service of the restaurants has been banned as well while outdoor dining will be allowed up to 10 pm. While takeaways and delivery services will continue to be operational, according to the notification.The business centres and markets across Hyderi, Pakistan Chowk, Burns Road, Jama Cloth Market, and in the periphery remained blatantly open even after 7 pm while the new SOPs rolled out the other day direct 6 am to 6 pm timings
It may be noted that earlier today, the Sindh TajirIttehad Chairman JameelParacha rejected the Sindh government’s decision of allowing businesses and markets to open from 6 am to 6 pm.
He said in a statement that it is impossible for traders to implement the new reduced shop timings in any way. “While traders are already reeling from adverse impacts of the previous lockdown, efforts are being made to limit business activities once again,” he said.
Paracha warned that traders will put up resistance if police come to enforce the decision.
Muhammad Arshad, the chairman of All Pakistan Jewelers Manufacturers Association, said the decision to open shops at 6am is not viable and suggested that they be allowed to operate from 9am till 8pm.
