Unchecked movement of people makes smart lockdown ineffective.

Byline: Imran Ayub

KARACHI -- The smart lockdown imposed by the Sindh government to contain the spread of coronavirus was rendered largely ineffective on Friday as while the local administration and law enforcement agencies succeeded to close down business centres to a large extent, they failed to stop people's movement in the neighbourhoods identified as Covid-19 hotspots, officials and sources said.

The lockdown in targeted areas of the metropolis came into effect on Thursday evening after the Karachi commissioner issued orders for a complete shutdown at 7pm on June 18, to remain in place till July 2, whereby public movement would be restricted and business activities would stay shut.

'Anyone entering or exiting the locked down area has to wear a mask without any exception. Movement of people residing in the areas under a lockdown will be strictly restricted,' reads the standard operating procedures (SOPs) issued by the commissioner's office for the smart lockdown.

However, the people defied the SOPs and their free movement was seen in most of the areas under lockdown with no checks from authorities concerned. In many areas key business centres remained closed but transport and people's movement by and large remained as usual.

Traders say lockdown in select areas has only hit their businesses

Business activities in Saddar suspended

Traders and businessmen also came up with a strong reaction against the smart lockdown saying it was creating confusion and only affecting their businesses while failing to serve its original purpose.

'Under the fresh lockdown, the government has closed all major business centres in Saddar which were opened just a couple of weeks ago after two months,' said Mohammad Rizwan of the Karachi Electronics Dealers Association.

'We can't understand the strategy and traders came to know about the fresh order only when they came this morning to open their shops. All commercial and business centres along M.A. Jinnah Road were also closed. It's not fair.'

Under the fresh orders, more...