DURING the lockdown, the sale of foodstuff and medicines is allowed during daylight hours albeit with slightly reduced timings. Clinics and banks have also been allowed to remain open during stipulated hours.

In the United Kingdom, the authorities were more specific, and allowed specific essential items stores to remain open. This did not include sports shops. JD Sports, which is a large chain in the UK lobbied hard for the sale of their goods to remain open as it included exercise and gymnasium equipment, which could be bought and put to use while the people were restricted to their homes. The authorities acquiesced and allowed them to do under the off licence label. Off licence in the UK refers to shops selling alcoholic beverages.

Following the UK’s example, since there is no guarantee, that the lockdown in Sindh won’t be extended after April 14, the following should also be treated as essential, and sales allowed: shops selling stationary and educational textbooks, and computer sales, servicing and repairing and associated equipment.

This should facilitate students their on-line education in their homes.

Educational institutions should prepare appropriate courses, notes, tests for the students to continue their education in their homes on-line.

This is also essential for businesses to maintain unfettered communication with their clients/associates and carry out their office work from their homes. And may I add that exchange companies also remain open as they are part of the banking system.

Rafi Ahmed
Karachi

Published in Dawn, April 7th, 2020