Sindh government has extended the lockdown imposed to curb the coronavirus infections till August 15, keeping in view the growing number of cases in the province.
The decision was made by Sindh Home Department via a circular on Thursday under the Sindh Epidemic Diseases Act. 2014 (The Sindh Act VIII of 2015), according to multiple news reports.
During the restriction, businesses, except for pharmacies and medical services, will operate under specific timings. The provincial government had earlier extended the 'smart lockdown' to contain the spread of the virus in several cities to July 15.
On June 18, the lockdown came into force at the virus hot-spots to eradicate it at its roots. Despite the restriction, dwellers in Sindh, particularly Karachi, continued to roam the streets and operate businesses. Due to the situation, the government had also suggested to impose a curfew and out barricades on major arteries to deter the violators.
Sindh’s coronavirus tally currently stands at 108,913 cases, while the first case had emerged in the province on February 26. The fatal virus has claimed 5,426 lives in the country while 178,737 patients have recovered successfully. The number of confirmed cases in Pakistan currently stand at 257,832.
Experts recommend robust testing and effective measures to overcome the outbreak, fearing otherwise that the cases may surge.