Sindh Information Minister Nasir Hussain Shah has said the provincial government will make sure that there are no violations on the ban of weddings or large gatherings in the province due to the coronavirus pandemic, reported The News.
“The only exception to this ban are the gatherings held on a limited scale inside homes to solemnise marriages, but the government will ensure implementation of the ban on wedding feasts,” Shah said during talks with representatives of wedding hall owners on Tuesday.
Shah said the provincial government was well aware of the sufferings of those associated with the business of wedding halls in the city; however, these activities need to remain suspended because there would be no compromise on the health and lives of the people at risk of contracting coronavirus.
The provincial minister added the government knew about the adverse impacts of the health emergency on the different segments of trade and economy, which has resulted in unemployment, but the situation was the same the world over.
“Sindh government is fully adhering to the lockdown policy recommended by the federal administration, so wedding halls need to remain closed as part of the countrywide precautionary measures against the pandemic,” Shah said.
The minister said the owners of wedding halls would be free to reopen their businesses without seeking any further permission from the provincial government whenever the Centre’s lockdown policy allows the resumption of their business.
He added consultations were still underway with stakeholders of different segments of society that are still closed as part of the lockdown measures. “The Sindh government cannot decide on the reopening of these segments without the Centre’s or the apex judiciary’s orders,” he added.
Shah added the Sindh government has thought of several relief measures for small businesses given their losses due to the lockdown. “The provincial government stands with the traders, and together they will defeat the pandemic,” he added.
