Grocery shops in province to close by 5pm, orders Sindh CM

• The decision was taken after the public failed to follow guidelines for lockdown.
• Murad says measures are being taken in the best interest of the people and to contain spread of the virus.

(Karachi) Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah has instructed that grocery shops and stores across the province will be closed by 5pm from March 28, media reported on Friday.

The decision was taken after the public failed to follow guidelines for lockdown. The Sindh government had allowed shops to remain open from 8am to 8pm.

Meanwhile, Sindh CM also ordered the police and law enforcement agencies to take stern action against those violating the lockdown rules in the province. Murad said that the measures are being taken in the best interest of the people and to contain spread of the virus.

Earlier, the Sindh government released 829 prisoners charged under minor offences across jails in the province as coronavirus cases increased. The decision applied to those inmates who had completed their sentences and were unable to pay penalty.

Sindh CM said that the step is taken to bring the number of prisoners down as there are at least 16,000 inmates who are launguishing in different jails across the province.

The Sindh government also released Rs58 million to the districts to help fight coronavirus pandemic. The funds will be used to buy medical supplies and for measures to contain the virus.