Karachi’s markets shut for flouting safety regulations

karachi — Karachi’s famous Zainab Market was sealed by authorities on Wednesday for failing to follow the SOPs regarding novel coronavirus, Pakistan’s TV channels reported.

The orders in this regard were issued by the assistant commissioner of Saddar Town, who visited the place to check implementation of guidelines issued by health experts. He claimed that shopkeepers were not wearing gloves or masks and have not installed hand sanitisers.

They [shopkeepers] were also violating social distancing norms, added the assistant commissioner.

Meanwhile, Commissioner Karachi Iftikhar Shallwani on Wednesday ordered the sealing of a number of major markets and shopping centres and at least three stores in the city for violating the standard operating procedures (SOPs) issued by the government before easing the lockdown for traders and the public, reports Dawn News.

In the East district of the city, three major stores — Limelight, Shoe Planet and Stylo — were sealed for allowing large crowds inside the shops.

The markets and shopping centres shuttered in the South district include Zainab Market, Saddar; Victoria Centre, Saddar; International Centre, Saddar; Madina City Mall, Saddar; Al Haram Centre, Garden; Gul Plaza, Garden; and Jillani Centre, Arambagh.

At least two beauty salons were also sealed in the district for not following the guidelines.

He warned that the businesses of shopkeepers who do not implement the government-mandated SOPs will be sealed.

Markets across the country were seen teeming after opening up on Monday for the first time in over a month as the nationwide lockdown was eased despite a steep rise in the number of Covid-19 infections. —