A tweet shared from the PPP chairman’s Twitter handle said: “Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah has categorically said that Sindh was not ending the lockdown on Monday and we are entering the second phase of lockdown with some extra restrictions, particularly at hotspots.”
PPP chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari late Friday refuted rumors that the provincial lockdown was coming to an end and clarified that it was entering the second phase, starting Monday.
New lockdown SOPs
Shah then elaborated on the new lockdown standard operating procedures (SOPs) for businesses. He said that the province will follow to a tee, the timings allowed for businesses to operate — from sehri to 5pm.
The chief minister said that areas classified as dehs (a demarcation of land inhabited by farming communities) will be able to keep shops open as they are less populated.
He also said that small shops located in residential areas will be permitted to operate.
He went on to say that all industries that were shut down before May will remain closed. Similarly, public venues where large gatherings can occur such as wedding halls and cinemas will also remain shut.
“We have not forbidden weddings, but large gatherings will not be allowed.”
He said that keeping in spirit with the Supreme Court directives, which had called for a uniform plan to be implemented countrywide, the Sindh government had agreed to support the Centre in its decisions.
Shah said that there will be a complete ban on political rallies.
Hospital outpatient departments (OPDs) will now be open.
