The Sindh Cabinet on Monday approved Coronavirus Emergency Relief Ordinance aimed at providing relief to the people amid the Covid-19 pandemic. The ordinance will now be sent to Sindh Governor Imran Ismail for approval. According to the ordinance, it will be mandatory for school owners to reduce fees by 20 percent. Besides, the rent of the houses will also be decreased. Similarly, under the ordinance, it has been mandatory that the private sector will not be able to sack or terminate their employees. In addition, private companies will also be liable to pay salaries to their employees on time. Briefing the media after the cabinet meeting, Sindh Minister for Information, Local Government, Housing &Town Planning, Religious Affairs, Forest and Wildlife Syed NasirHussain Shah said that the Cabinet was briefed in detail about the spread of Coronavirus in the province. So far 43,949 Coronavirus tests had been conducted in the province, he said, adding 85 people infected with the coronavirus had died in the province. “24 out of 3,946 under treatment patients were in critical condition. Spokesperson for the Sindh government and Adviser to Sindh CM on Law, Environment and Climate Change, Barrister MurtazaWahab was also present during the press conference. The Cabinet meeting was presided over by Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah and was attended by all the provincial Ministers, Sindh Chief Secretary, Advocate General Sindh, Chairman Planning & Development Board and all concerned officers. Nasir Shah said that it had been decided to increase the number of beds from 1,200 to 1,500 in the isolation center reserved for Coronavirus patients in Expo Center. While 600 beds were being added in the isolation centre at PAF Museum, site, and 150 beds were being added in the isolation centre at Gadap Hospital, he added. The provincial Information Minister said that the cabinet was informed that a 120-beds isolation centre at DumbaGhot Hospital was also being set up. Nasir Shah said that water, electricity and gas bills had also been reduced under this ordinance. He said that the tenants who live in rented houses had also been given rent concessions under this ordinance. He said that the Chief Minister has directed the Food Department to meet the target of wheat procurement.
