CM Sindh likely to okay two-week lockdown in Karachi

• Provincial task force on coronavirus mulling over imposing a complete lockdown in Karachi today. 
• COVID-19 infections have soared to an alarming level in Karachi.
• If a lockdown is decided, educational institutions and inter-city and intra-city transport will also be closed down.

KARACHI: A decision on whether a two-week lockdown will be imposed in Karachi or not will be taken today during the ongoing provincial task force on coronavirus meeting at CM House.

Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah is chairing the meeting, with provincial ministers and healthcare experts in attendance.

For the first time, parliamentary leaders of political parties have also been invited to the meeting, sources said.

Read also: Why does Karachi desperately need a coronavirus lockdown?

The Sindh health department has recommended clamping a two-week complete lockdown to contain the spread of the pandemic in Karachi as the positivity rate has gone beyond an alarming 30 per cent in the megacity.

Given the unsettling circumstances of the COVID-19 re-surge in Karachi, the task force has received a strong proposal to impose a complete lockdown in the metropolis.

Read also: Karachi’s coronavirus positivity rate surges to over 30%

Medical experts and the health department suggested halting inter-city and intra-city commute for two weeks.

Educational institutions have also been proposed to be closed for two weeks, sources said.