Corona virus outbreak: CM Sindh Murad announces lockdown in province

KARACHI: Sindh CM Sindh Murad Ali announced that the province will undergo a lockdown after midnight tonight (Sunday).

“After 12:00AM tonight [Sunday night] Sindh will undergo a lockdown,” he said. “People will not be allowed to venture out of their homes unnecessarily.”

The chief minister said that that if citizens needed to go to the hospital, only three persons will be allowed to travel in a car. 

In an earlier statement issued after a meeting, the chief minister had said that the government was taking this important decision in the interest of people and hoped that the public will support the government.

The provincial authorities have also sought help from the army to ensure compliance of its orders after the chief minister’s appeal on Friday to the masses to stay indoors was ignored.

Sindh is struggling to contain the coronavirus, as it has reported the highest number of coronavirus cases as far as provinces are concerned, with the total tally rising to 292. 

 “We are about to take major and difficult decisions for the safety of people,” Murad had said adding that the government was concerned about the welfare of the masses.

“There’s no option but to impose lockdown in the province and I will announce this later today,” Murad said and urged the masses to stay home. No one will be allowed to hit the road without any strong reason.

“A supervisory team is being constuituted to be headed by a Grade-20 officer, said the chief minister. Other departments can contact the officials in case of any difficulty in service delivery.”

The chief minister said only 2500 people have been tested so far in the province. “We are increasing the capacity and making it available at all the divisional headquarters in the province.”

The government is aware of the consequences of these strict measures and are taking necessary steps in this regard, he said. Control rooms would be established at the offices of DG Rangers Sindh and IG Police.

CM Murad also directed the concerned authorities to ensure uninterrupted supply of utilities, TV cable, mobile services, telephone and electricity.

Banks would remain opened and ATM services will not be shut down, he said.