Karachi markets categorized into 13 sectors for reopening during lockdown

The authorities are of the view that reopening of all shops at the same time will be detrimental to the efforts made to reduce the local transmission of the coronavirus. The plan to divide the markets into 13 different sectors is a part of the recommendations submitted to the Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah by the ministerial committee for devising a proper mechanism and standard operating procedures (SOPs) for reopening of the markets in the city in phases during the lockdown.

Provincial ministers Syed Nasir Hussain Shah, Saeed Ghani, Mukesh Kumar Chawla and Imtiaz Shaikh were part of the ministerial committee, which held negotiations with the representatives of the small traders at the office of the Commissioner Karachi for devising a consensus mechanism and SOPs for the reopening of markets in the city.

The SOPs proposed by the ministerial committee took into account the aspects of social distancing among the shoppers and employees of the markets in the city and also to ensure best hygienic conditions for them for their protection against the virus.

Shops will open in Karachi on a rotational basis, while all outlets associated with a particular sector of business in Karachi will open for a day in a coordinated manner.