Sindh, Punjab announce coronavirus restrictions after jump in cases

KARACHI: The Sindh government has introduced social distancing restrictions to contain the second wave of the  Coronavirus with a surge in new cases.

According to a notification issued by the provincial administration, indoor dining at restaurants has been banned. There will be a ban on indoor marriages and only outdoor with a limit of 200 people will be permitted till 9 pm.

Under the new restrictions, govt and private offices will follow 50 percent work from home policy and markets will close at 6 pm,

Karachi Administrator Shallwani, in a notification, said that dining will be permitted only in restaurants that can cater to customers in open spaces.

Shallwani ordered deputy commissioners to strictly implement the restrictions so as to curb the spread of the infection, which has seen a steady increase ever since educational institutions were opened across Pakistan in a phased manner from September 15.

The development comes hours after the federal government announced that the country’s schools would be closed from November 26, while studies would continue online.

Yesterday, Punjab government also directed public and private offices throughout the province to ensure that 50% of the staff works from home, as a measure to stem the spread of the coronavirus.

According to a notification issued by the Primary and Secondary Healthcare Department on Monday, the new order comes into effect immediately and will remain applicable till January 31, 2020.

The decision by the Punjab government came a few hours after Education Minister Shafqat Mahmood announced that educational institutions will remain closed throughout the country till January 11.

The minister, after a meeting with education ministers of all four provinces, decided that students will take classes from home till December 24. From December 24 to January 10, they will be on a winter break.