CM Murad expresses concern over rise in coronavirus cases in Karachi, calls for 'extensive testing'

KARACHI: Chief Minister Sindh Syed Murad Ali Shah on Saturday expressed concern over the rapid increase of coronavirus cases in Karachi's densely populated areas, calling for a need to conduct "extensive testing" and practice isolation.

In a video message on social media, he said that the coronavirus was spreading further in areas including Lyari, Lee Market, Kharadar, Bihar Colony and different localities of various union councils of district East, Malir, Korangi, and West.

“This is something serious and needs to be stopped by conducting extensive tests and ensuring isolation.”

“We can curb the spread of coronavirus by extending our testing facilities in these areas,” the minister said, adding that with one fatality today the province-wide death tally stands at 48.

Sharing coronavirus statistics, Murad said that 138 new cases have been detected by conducting 1666 tests. The number of tests conducted so far comes to 22938 while the tally of the cases has surged past 2300 across the province.

Murad urges federal govt to lend soft and long-term loans to small scale businesses

In a meeting with traders, Murad assured them that he would request the federal government to lend soft and long-term loans to small scale businesses so that the economic activities are not crippled due to coronavirus lockdown.

The chief minister announced to facilitate traders by providing certain exemptions from Sindh Revenue Board (SRB) and provincial excise and taxation recoveries in order to ease situations for small scale or emerging business setups.

In response, traders assured the authorities that they will follow all Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) in case they were allowed to open their shops during the extended lockdown.

Agreeing that the traders should at least be granted permission for home delivery services, the chief minister said that he was very keen to strengthen online and phone business activities during lockdown.

‘This is the most effective way of running businesses while maintaining social distancing,” the minister said.

Moreover, traders agreed to open their shops on a rotation basis and appreciated the chief minister’s prompt response in the matter.

The chief minister, along with his other provincial ministers and members from traders’ community, constituted a committee that would prepare SOPs which will be implemented on a mandatory basis before opening small businesses. The plan of action would then be sent to the federal government for approval and further suggestions.