Sindh notifies new SOPs for every sector

The Sindh government on notified a new the standard operating procedures (SOPs) for every sector and place of gathering, including mosques, educational institutions and shopping centres.

According to the notification, the order shall come into force at once and shall remain in force till 30 April, 2020.

The notification says, "That after careful considerations of the situation and the spread of disease and further deliberations in national coordination committee the government and after considering various options is satisfied that such restrictive measures adopted are necessary to continue for some time to contain the spread of disease and break the chin of spread of virus while opening up certain economic activities with the condition that such operations strictly follow SOP's with a view to ensure that spread is prevented while such operations are allowed".

Now therefore in exercise of powers under section 3(1) of Sindh Epidemic Disease act 2014 ( the Sindh act VIII of 2015) and in continuation of order of even number dated 2nd April, 2020 hereby issues following directions, regulations and necessary measures to be observed and adopted by all the concerned businesses, general public etc.

A. COMPLETE CLOSURE/BAN

I. All educational institutions i.e. schools, colleges, medical colleges, technical and vocational institutes, universities (both public and private), coaching, centres, madaris (already closed till 31st May, 2020)

II. All public places where people gather in large numbers and group together on streets/ road sides and any other place without observing social distancing and precautionary measures against virus spread.

III. Shopping Malls, cinema halls, Marriage Halls, Banquet Halls, Marques, Lawns, clubs, hotels, halls, auditoriums, Farm Houses, Beaches, Electronic Markets, Showrooms, Boutiques, Beauty Parlors, Luxury items Outlets etc.

IV. All Markets/Shops of non-essential items and any related activity to remain closed/ suspended except those specifically permitted by this order.

V. Restaurants' remain closed for serving guests/customers as well as take home services (only home delivery by the restraint is, however, permitted)

VI. Entertainment areas where public gathers including but not limited to farm houses etc, play areas, grounds, public parks etc.

VII. Religious & social congregations, ceremonies, functions, gatherings of all kind (Necessary obligations like marriages, funeral/burial may take place with close family members only with social distancing measures and after informing local administration)

VIII. Gathering on Shrines / religious places

IX. Jail visitors and meeting with prisoners.

X. Public transport viz, intracity, intercity and inter-Provincial Public Passenger Transport (whereas the transport of Goods is permissible with restrictions to follow SOPs on social distancing and precautionary measures)

B. Restriction on timings for coming out of homes from 5:00pm to 8:00 am

All shops including General/ convenience / grocery stores and shops as well as medical stores situated in malls and superstores. Petrol pumps in city areas remain closed during this time.

Except those specifically allowed by an order and the following:

• Person requiring emergency medical care

• Law enforcing agencies personnel.

• Doctors and staff (medical and allied) attending hospitals and allied services attached to hospitals

• Only those medical stores those are situated within or adjacent to hospitals or health facilities.

• Technical staff attending electricity, gas, water, sewerage related emergencies/ services, cleaning municipal staff when on duty.

- Technical staff attending electricity, gas, water, Sewerage related emergencies / services, cleaning municipal staff when on duty.

- Persons on good transport carrying essential goods / permitted service's related items with one helper / cleaner (no passenger allowed on goods transport)

- Charity organizations with their limited persons for the only purpose of distribution of ration among poor and needy conditional to having approval / permission from Law enforcement and District Administration

- Newspaper sorting & distribution as well as Milk/Dairy related work may commence from 05:00 am.

C. Restrictions on movement of persons by transport

- Move/travel singly with over 3 feet distance between persons.

Single person on a motorbike (except in case of female family member residing in the same household)

Maximum two persons in car (one more allowed in case a very sick person necessarily requires an attendant).

No public road transport allowed.

Staff/Labor for permissible activities / industry / hospitals and allied services of hospital can travel in Company Vehicle with clearly marked banner/displaying showing Company / Office / Factory name.

The management/staff/labor travelling by such vehicle must be seated at a distance from one another (about 1/3 of seating capacity of vehicle) and adopt precautions as per SOPs.

Carry ID Card / Service Card during movements to show to LEAs.

D. Activities permitted during lockdown

- - Food and related shops/ manufacturers / distributors and all related in chain like wheat & rice, pulses, bardana / bags for rice packaging etc. Seeds, fertilizers, pesticide, fish, meat, vegetable / fruit, dairy, poultry, poultry feed etc and related activities in chain & related shops, stores, godowns, manufacturers and transport etc. Bakeries, Tandoors.

Agriculture and related activities including sowing, harvesting etc and related use of Thrashers, Tractors their repairs / maintenance, agricultural implements etc. and all activities related to supply chain including irrigation and related.

Health and related services Hospitals, Laboratories, Pharmacies, Drug Stores, Manufacturing, packaging, transport etc i.e. all within value / supply chain items of personal hygiene like Soaps, Sanitizers & disinfectants etc.

Electricity, Gas, Oil, LPG, Power Generation (Solar, Wind, Bagasse ete) Production Generation, distribution, storage where applicable and related maintenance activities.

Essential Municipal Services, Water Supply including Water Tankers), Sewerage, Solid Waste)

Transport of Goods within and out of Province. Welfare Organizations duly registered / permitted for distribution of ration/ relief goods in coordination with District Administration and LEAs.

Public & private telecom / cellular companies' technical staff for maintenance with limited admin staff

Call Centers, Customers support centers with no customers including 24 hours helpline for cellular, telecom, mobile / internet banking and bill payment with minimal staff.

Technical Staff of Cellular companies (for repair / maintenance of towers/cables & related services) with minimal admin staff

Banks with minimal essential staff. Required to shift to more online servies.

Newspaper, Text Books, Printing, transport & distribution.

Port Operations, PNSC, Custom.

Media persons on duty.

Railway freight services and their essential staff.

Petrol, Oil, Lubricants & related services, oil tankers, LPG, transport, storage etc.

Postal / courier services.

Delivery companies conditional order with SOPs separately issued.

Sindh Government Administration & essential staff as per SGA&CD notification.

PSPC & NSPC (Pakistan Security Printing Corporation & National Security Printing Company) printing fresh currency notes, etc.

FBR/IRS, AG office essential staff only

Law Enforcement Agencies

Defense Services

SECP related activities and Pakistan Stock Exchange with stress on online / work from home environment.

E. Activities to start on certain conditions/ SOPs as per decisions at NCC

Construction Industry : Awaited / relate to 'Grey structure' only

E-Commerce (export) Business Process Outsourcing, Call centers: To be allowed subject to condition of due verification of Export and undertaking to follow SOPs for Covid-19

Energy related (gas, LNG, refineries, exploration) are permitted.

Export oriented industries: To be allowed subject to condition of due verification of Export and undertaking to follow SOPs for Covid-19

Industries with low labour component and in rural areas cement, chemicals and fertilizers are all permitted.

Paper and packaging: permitted

Plumbers/ Electricians Carpentars: Permitted with conditions that an order /letter may be issued to them by AC concerned after due verification.

Dry Cleaners / Laundry: Permitted subject to undertaking to DC concerned and verification that SOP arrangements are in place.

Horticulture/ Botanical: Permitted subject to undertaking to DC concerned and verification that SOP arrangements are in place

Veterinary Services: Permitted subject to undertaking to DC concerned and verification that SOP arrangements are in place

Software / Programming: Permitted subject to undertaking to DC concerned and verification that SOP arrangements are in place Glass Manufacturing: Permitted subject to undertaking to DC concerned and verification that SOP arrangements are in place Bookshop / stationary: Permitted subject to undertaking to DC concerned and verification that SOP arrangements are in place

Transport of Goods:

No ban on transportation to other provinces from their godowns / port to such province (Such warehouses, godowns can be opened and loading takes place by informing local Deputy Commissioner Office).

Transport of imported items from Port. - Transport of export items that are ready to ship from godown/storage. (New manufacturing is to take place only AFTER due verification of export orders from TDAP and undertaking and placing all arrangements as per SOPs on Covid-19). Transport from Karachi Port may leave for distribution during night hours for inter- provincial goods using Northern bypass route.

- Transport of Wheat is subject to regulations by Food Department Government of Sindh

Any person / owner/manager engaged in any permissible activity/ operation found violating any of the instructions contained in this order shall be liable for action in accordance with law as per section 4 of Sindh Epidemic Disease Control Act 2014. Any business unit/ shop/store/ manufacturing or non-manufacturing unit found/reported violating the above instructions/Standard of Operation Procedures, shall have the permission given to them during Covid-19 emergency suspended immediately and such work places may be closed.