KARACHI:
As thousands of people thronged shops and businesses across the metropolis on the first day of resumption of business activity in the province, the standard operating procedures (SOPs) devised by the Sindh government were seemingly swept to the side without a worry about the spread of the coronavirus.
Large crowds flowed into retail markets in Saddar, Gulshan-e-Iqbal, Tariq Road, Liaquatabad, Jamia Cloth, Light House, Denso Hall and other areas, with few among them – not even the shopkeepers – wearing the mandated masks. Meanwhile, though public transport continues to be suspended as per government orders, rickshaws were openly plying the road in blunt violation, carrying as many as five or six passengers at a time..
According to the SOPs issued by the Sindh home department, shopkeepers were not to cater to any customers without face masks, while also ensuring that a distance of at least six feet was maintained between each person.
“Shop owners may only deal with one customer at a time and must provide masks and disposable gloves to all employees, while also displaying posters about precautionary measures inside and outside their shops,” stated the SOPs, adding that the retailers must keep hand sanitisers in their shops and check the temperatures of customers and staff with thermal guns. With few exceptions, though, shops across the city lacked these necessary facilities.
The regulations also prohibited physical contact, such as handshakes and other greetings, between workers and customers. This, too, was ignored as people greeted each other with gusto after days of confinement to their homes.
“Shops have reopened after a month and a half, and Eidul Fitr is approaching fast. How can we convince these massive crowds to follow the rules?” asked a retailer at a garments store on Tariq Road, dismissive of the virus threat. “The coronavirus [pandemic] is now over. Nothing will happen.”
The hordes of customers swelled to such an extent on Tariq Road that one footwear outlet was left without space for anyone to enter from outside. And even in these throngs, few had adopted the precaution of wearing a mask.
“Masks make me feel suffocated. We are tired of wearing them for the past two months. This is nothing but a business of fear,” asserted a customer.
In Jodia Bazaar and Bohri Bazaar, the crowds made it impossible to walk freely as people turned out to buy goods.
