Zainab Markets, Victoria Centre, International Centre, Madina City Mall, Al Haram Centre Saddar, Garden Gul Plaza, and Jillani Centre were sealed for violating the standard operating procedures (SOPs) issued by the Government of Sindh before easing the coronavirus lockdown for traders and the public.

These actions were taken on the directives of Commissioner Karachi Iftikhar Shallwani.

Earlier, Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah said that if the social distance and SOPs are not followed by the traders and the public, then the markets where SOPs are being violated would be sealed.

He said that the shopkeepers of Zainab Market have violated SOPs by not wearing gloves and masks.

The provincial government had allowed the markets to reopen amid strict instructions on May 11. According to the SOPs, not more than three customers are to be allowed to be inside a shop at a time, with a distance of four-five feet to be maintained between them.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2020