Sindh High Court (SHC) Friday ordered provincial government to ensure provision of face masks to paramedical staff in the hospitals of the province.
A division bench of SHC issued these directives after petitioner Saleem Michael Advocate told the court that media report indicated that masks have not been provided in civil hospital Karachi.
Court also ordered Deputy Commissioner Sukkur to inspect the quarantine ward Sukkur after applying all best safety measures for him and submit the report through Additional Secretary Health, Government of Sindh on the next date of case when was informed that hygienic condition of said ward is not proper.
Assistant Commissioner (General) on behalf of Commissioner Karachi Division submitted the compliance report in which it is stated that against the hoarders and profiteering of masks the raids were conducted by the District Administration Karachi Division and recovered 5,93,630 masks.
The recovered masks have been distributed in different hospitals; field staff of Health Department, Government of Sindh and general public, court was informed. Court made the report part of record after it was told that more crackdowns and raids will continue against such black marketing and profiteering of masks.
The Additional Secretary Health has also submitted the compliance report to show that face masks, disposable gowns, hand gloves, disposable caps and hand sanitizers have already been supplied in all districts of Sindh.
Additional Advocate General submitted a copy of Sindh Epidemic Diseases Act, 2014 and argued that in pursuance of Section 3 of this Act if the government is satisfied that the Province or any part thereof is visited by, or threatened with an outbreak of any disease the Government is empowered to take measures by public notice and take all such actions which will deem necessary to prevent the outbreak of such disease. He further pointed out order dated 14th March, 2020 issued by Additional Chief Secretary (Home) whereby, certain restrictions have been imposed which include that all educational institutions i.e. schools, colleges, medical colleges, technical and vocational institutes, Universities (both public and private), coaching centers, madaris shall remain closed till 31sl March, 2020.
Likewise, all examination, being conducted or to be conducted shall be rescheduled accordingly, cinema halls, marriage halls, banquet halls, marques and lawns shall remain closed for a period of 3 weeks. He submitted that all religious and social congregations and ceremonies shall remain restricted whereas all gathering at shrines shall remain suspended for next three weeks and visit/meetings with prisoners shall remain restricted for further orders.
He further pointed out another notification dated 17th March, 2020, whereby, the Sindh Government in pursuance of Section 3 of the same Act imposed certain more restrictions on restaurants of all kind serving customers except that they may provide take-away or home delivery service. Also, intercity public transport for passengers from 19.03.2020 except transport of goods related to essential items viz eatables drugs etc and entertainment areas where public gathers including but not limited to Farm Houses etc, Beaches like Sea View Hawke's bay, Sandspit, Paradise Point, etc., Markets / Shops of non-essential items or luxury items like electronic Markets, showrooms, Boutiques, Beauty Parlors etc."
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