From Saturday, 28 March 2020, the Chief Minister, Murad Ali Shah, has announced in Sindh, grocery stores and supermarkets will close 3 hours prior to the usual 8pm designated time, imposing the provincial-lockdown’s effectiveness. People have reportedly been using the late closing time to walk/spend time on the street unnecessarily later than permitted. The transmission of local Covid-19 cases has become 10% of the total tested cases, introducing an earlier closing time will ensure a more efficient effort to contain further spread of the disease.

“We had decided to close shops from 8pm to 8am but people have started taking its unnecessary benefit and keep roaming here and there, therefore, I have decided that shops, including groceries, etc, will operate from 8am to 5pm from Saturday,” Murad Ali Shah stated as he has ordered IGP of Sindh, Mushtaq Mahar, to strengthen the hold on lockdown, understanding the gravity of the situation as the attempts to avoid an increase in the spread of coronavirus.

At the meeting the CM announced there are 168 cases in Sindh alone, excluding pilgrims in Sukkur and Larkana, 102 of the cases are local transmissions, which means this course of action is necessary to stop a spike in cases.