Micro smart lockdowns ordered in more Karachi areas

KARACHI: Due to an increase in Covid-19 cases, the District Central authorities have ordered micro smart lockdowns in more areas under its jurisdiction. Last week the district administration had ordered micro smart lockdowns in nine union councils of North Karachi, North Nazimabad and Gulberg until March 31.

On Tuesday the District Central administration ordered lockdowns in three subdivisions in the North Karachi, North Nazimabad and Liaquatabad towns until April 6. According to a notification issued by the authorities, the lockdowns have been ordered in the virus hotspots on the recommendations of the district health officer. Exercising the powers conferred under Section 3 of the Sindh Epidemic Diseases Act 2014, District Central Deputy Commissioner Dr Raja Dharejo has ordered discrete micro smart lockdowns for specific streets and houses for a two-week period.

The micro smart lockdowns have been ordered in the union committees of Liaquatabad Area C and C-1, North Karachi Sector 2, 5A-2, 14-B, 7D and 11-D, and North Nazimabad Block L and N.

The notification states that anyone entering or leaving the lockdown areas will have to wear a mask at all times, while no one will be allowed to move about unnecessarily. The authorities have also suspended all business and industrial activities, as well as banned all family gatherings.

According to the standard operating procedures, anyone who has tested positive for the coronavirus disease will have to quarantine at home. Meanwhile, the Sindh government will take steps to ensure that the needy are supplied with rations through philanthropic organisations and by employing its own resources.

The rules also state that all kinds of industrial units in these areas will remain closed, while no home deliveries or takeaways of any sort will be allowed from restaurants, fast food joints or other eateries.

The notification states that only groceries, convenience stores and pharmacies will be allowed to remain open in these areas during specific timings, while no public transport will be allowed in the affected areas.

Covid-19 claimed three more lives in Sindh during 24 hours, raising the death toll to 4,482 in the province.

Chief Minister Murad Ali said in his daily situation report on the health emergency on Tuesday that 6,304 tests were conducted and 200 people were diagnosed with Covid-19, constituting a 3.2 per cent detection rate. He said the government had so far conducted 3,225,544 tests, against which 263,663 cases were detected, of whom 96.3 percent or 253,981 patients had recovered, including 146 overnight.