HYDERABAD: Eidul Fitr was observed under shadow of Covid-19 and amid weaker lockdown restrictions on Thursday.

The main congregations were held at Rani Bagh and old Eidgah of Saddar.

Similar congregations were held at different places like Liberty Chowk, etc.

At old Eidgah Saddar, Cantonment Board Hyderabad (CBH) officials were seen asking people to avoid entering mosque without face masks. But social distancing restrictions inside Eidgah were not properly observed. Same was the case in other mosques. Deployment of police and Rangers was seen outside some mosques during Eidul Fitr prayers.

Later in the evening people thronged food outlets for take-away services while throwing caution to the winds.

Outlets owners remained least concerned about observing standard operating procedures (SOPs). Almost all famous outlets witnessed rush with customers not complying with SOPs.

While one food outlet was sealed by civil administration in Unit-7 Latifabad for SOPs’ violation, no such action was reported in other parts of the city. The take-away services were allowed till midnight but services continued even after scheduled timings. Many families converged at newly developed greenbelt on Cantonment graveyard road.

According to Hyderabad district administration, positivity ratio in Hyderabad dropped to 9.4pc as per countrywide coronavirus situation report generated on May 14 that was based on figures calculated till May 13.

Some 13 coronavirus patients lost their life during three days of Eidul Fitr in Liaquat University Hospital city and Jamshoro branches.

Six die from Covid-19 in Dadu

At least six persons died owing to Covid-19 in Dadu city and its surrounding areas/ towns in past 24 hours.

A total of 300 positive cases were reported in Dadu and 21 positive cases reported in Syed Abdullah Shah Institute of Medical and Health Sciences Hospital in Sehwan.

Director of the hospital Dr Moinuddin Siddiqui confirmed the deaths.

He said that 21 positive cases of Covid-19 were reported at SAIMHS. He said that condition of 21 persons was not good.

Published in Dawn, May 16th, 2021