The Sindh government has allowed the fishermen of Karachi to resume work under strict SOPs issued by the administration.
In a notification issued on Sunday, the government instructed the Karachi Fish Harbor Authority and Fishermen Cooperative Society to ensure social distancing is practiced.
The authority has to provide masks, gloves and sanitiser to all fishermen and employees. Authorities will also have to manage traffic to ensure there isn’t any rush at the harbour.
Fishermen will be allowed go for catch from 5pm to 6am and will have to clean their boats and ships before and after unloading.
According to the notification, not more than four people will be allowed to be in a single boat at the same time.
Anyone found violating the law will be punished under Section 4 of the Sindh Epidemic Disease Control Act, 2014.
Previously, the government had shut down businesses and industries as part of precautionary measures to contain the novel coronavirus. Meanwhile, following a sudden spike in coronavirus cases in the province, the Sindh Home Department has imposed a blanket ban on pillion riding citing misuse of permission given to female members of the family.
Under the new directives, exemptions for the law enforcement personnel, women, children and elderly citizens have been withdrawn.
The authorities took the step after several reports in the media suggested that police personnel were also violating the social distancing guidelines.
“In view of implementation issues in the field and misuse of permission for pillion riding allowing female members of the family, a strict ban/restriction on pillion riding is imposed without any exception, whatsoever,” a notification issued on Saturday read.
Karachi police chief Ghulam Nabi Memon directed the officers to ensure the strict compliance of the orders.
