Karachi witnesses busy day as lockdown lifted, 24 succumb to Covid-19

KARACHI: More than 24 people lost their lives due to COVID-19 during the past 24 hours on Monday as the Sindh government lifted the weeklong lockdown.

People returned to their routine activities and the city also witnessed a busy day. Heavy traffic and bumper to bumper jams were seen at all major points including Shahrah-e-Faisal, Sher Shah Suri Road, Gurumandar, Numaish, M.A Jinnah road, I I Chundrigar road, new MA Jinnah road and Hassan Square.

The traffic police appeared quite helpless in controlling the situation and many of them abandoned the traffic signals to leave people to cope up with the chaos.

The citizens also flocked to Super markets and bazaars in order to purchase items of daily use and grocery for the next few days in vew of an impending lockdown later this month.

“It is the last day before Muharram which starts tomorrow and there is big chance that the government would again impose a lockdown,” said Muhammad Ramazan while shopping at Zainab Market. “That’s why I am here to buy essental household items.”

Replying to another question, Ramzan said that people must follow the SOPs, if they want to remain safe and continue with their business.

Meanwhile, 24 people died due to COVID-19 during the last 24 hours while 1127 news cases were reported in the city.

The Karachi administration also launched a strict crackdown against the over-charging shopkeepers and imposed fines on at least 25 them in different parts of the city while more than 50 shops were sealed for violation of COVID-19 SOPs.

Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah also presided over a key meeting on Monday and urged people to follow the SOPs and avoid social gatherings at all cost.

“The Delta variant is still in the city and there are chances of increase in the rate of COVID-19 again,” the CM warned. “We have increased the COVID-19 oxygen beds in the province up to 1120 beds.”