Pakistan’s southeastern province Sindh’s health department has proposed closing primary schools as well as banning indoor dining in restaurants as the coronavirus positivity rate climbed to seven percent in the province. The increase was 14 percent in the provincial capital Karachi, Pakistan's largest city. 

The Sindh health department also proposed keeping businesses closed for two days, instead of the one safe day a week currently being enforced, Dawn reported.

The proposals were made during a meeting on the coronavirus situation and would be presented in the next meeting of the provincial task force on Covid-19

All marriage halls, cattle markets, shops and restaurants where coronavirus standard operating procedures (SOPs) were being violated would also be sealed, an official said.

The Karachi commissioner has been directed to impose smart lockdowns in areas with a large number of cases.

The proposals came hours after Special Assistant to the Prime Minister (SAPM) on Health Dr. Faisal Sultan said the government would use whatever administrative help is required, including the Pakistan Army's, to ensure compliance with non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPIs) to prevent the spread of Covid-19.

Last week, the Sindh government had imposed further curbs on unvaccinated people to prevent the spread of Covid-19, including stopping them from getting treatment or major surgeries at hospitals.

In an official announcement, the Sindh health department had said people would not be allowed to visit even outdoor patients department (OPD) of hospitals without a vaccination certificate.

"Those who are vaccinated would be allowed to avail the facility of elective surgeries," said Sindh Director General Health Dr. Irshad Memon.

"For medical services at both public and private hospitals, Covid-19 vaccination certificate is mandatory. For tests and interviews for jobs, candidates should show their Covid-19 vaccination certificates. All public and private institutions would be responsible to check Covid-19 vaccination certificates," the announcement said.

Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah had earlier directed the finance ministry to stop the salaries from July of government employees who refused vaccination against the novel coronavirus.

(SAM)