New Covid restrictions: Sindh on high alert to deal with Omicron threat

Home ministry directs departments to finalise arrangements within 10 days

KARACHI:

As the world shuts its doors once again to ward off a likely fresh wave of coronavirus pandemic owing to emergence of potentially more deadly and infectious Omicron strain, the authorities in Sindh on Tuesday announced stricter measures to contain the spread of the deadly virus.

Chief Secretary Sindh Mumtaz Ali Shah issued a high alert, directing all departments of the provincial government to take all necessary steps to curb the potential spread of the Omicron variant of Covid-19.

Shah, through a notification a copy of which is available to The Express Tribune, told the authorities to be fully prepared to deal with the new variant, directing them to complete all arrangements within 10 days in this connection.

He also sought a report on a daily basis of the measures taken to deal with the new coronavirus variant.

The chief secretary further stated that those violating Covid SOPs will be dealt strictly, while also issuing instructions to speed up the vaccination drive in the province.

Fresh restrictions imposed

Meanwhile, the provincial government imposed fresh restrictions in the province owing to emergence of Omicron variant of the coronavirus.

Also read: Omicron threat: Sindh allows booster shots

The government intensified restrictions for the 'C' category districts over slow pace of vaccinations and fear of a surge in the infections.

The authorities directed that attendance at hotels and restaurants in these districts may not surpass 50 per cent of total capacity.

Moreover, only a 70 per cent attendance will be allowed for indoor dining gatherings, while hotels will not be allowed to seat customers more than 70 per cent of the total capacity.

The provincial government also imposed a ban on the participation of more than 300 people in weddings in Larkana, Mirpurkhas, Hyderabad, Khairpur and Ghotki districts.

It also banned indoor gatherings with participation of more than 500 people in Karachi, Sanghar and Sukkur divisions. These areas were included in the ‘B’ category due to a better ratio of vaccination.

Also read: No escaping from Omicron variant, warns NCOC

The provincial government also announced that only fully vaccinated people will be allowed to enter cinemas throughout the province.

Only vaccinated individuals will be allowed to take part in activities related to tourism, board a flight, and enter a public park or a swimming pool area, according to the notification.

The new restrictions placed under Viral Diseases Act shall remain in effect till December 15, it added.

Meanwhile, the home department said that all educational institutes of the province shall remain open until further directives.

It further stated that business activities in the province shall continue until 10pm.