Sindh announces closure of all educational institutes amid Covid-19 surge

The provincial government of Sindh on Monday decided to close all schools, colleges and universities of the province in view of the surge in COVID-19 cases.

The decision was reached at a meeting of the provincial Covid-19 taskforce led by Chief Minister Sindh Murad Ali Shah.

Shah announced that all government offices will also remain closed, saying the staffers will be working from home, while the secretaries will summon certain staff to their offices.

Meanwhile, Sindh government spokesperson Murtaza Wahab took to Twitter to confirm the development.

"All Sindh government offices shall operate with an essential staff of 20 per cent only. All schools, colleges and universities shall also remain closed due to the rising number of COVID-19 cases," he said.

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He added that the inter-city public transport will also be closed from April 29.

Wahab further said that the situation is alarming, saying the government "may have no other option but to take stricter decisions if people dont act responsibly."

The development comes a day after Sindh asked the federal government to deploy army personnel in the province to ensure adherence to Covid-19 precautionary SOPs.

"The services of armed forces of Pakistan in aid of civil power are required under Article 245 of the Constitution of Pakistan," read a letter penned by the home department to the federal interior ministry.

"Exact nature of deployment of troops and equipment will be communicated in due course of time after carrying out requisite assessment in consultation with [the] quarters concerned," the communique added.