Sindh Chief Minister (CM) Murad Ali Shah allowed on Wednesday cattle markets to be opened across the province.

The decision was taken during a joint meeting of health, local government departments and divisional administration at CM House. The chief minister said that cattle markets will be allowed to set up with strict standard operating procedures (SOPs).

He said mobile teams will be deployed at cattle markets which will conduct coronavirus tests of buyers and traders visiting the markets. He also restricted children and the elderly from visiting.

The deputy commissioners have been directed to prevent animal markets in streets.

The meeting also decided to increase testing in virus hotspots. The CM instructed the provincial disaster management authority to send messages to people on their phones as to how they could get tested if they were showing symptoms of COVID-19.