#KarachiEat: Port city to host biggest food festival amid Omicron outbreak

KARACHI: The port city is going to host one of the biggest three-day food festivals, Karachi Eat, starting from January 14 (today) to 16 amid the highest positivity rate of COVID-19 cases fuelled by the Omicron variant.

People have expressed serious reservations and censured the administration for granting permission to the organisers of the Karachi Eat festival despite witnessing a sharp rise in coronavirus cases. The food festival is likely to be attended by thousands of people at Beach View Park, Clifton.

It may be noted here that the positivity rate of Karachi had reached 20 per cent around two days ago, however, the organisation of the festival has raised eyebrows.

Omicron: Pakistan records highest daily Covid cases since three months

The festival had launched in 2014 and attracted hundreds of thousands of foodies each year.

This is happening at a time when the federal and provincial governments are urging the nationals to strictly follow Covid SOPs, especially to wear face masks and maintain social distancing.

There is a question that arises here, who will wear a face mask while having a diverse range of local and international cuisines and how organisers will maintain social distancing after inviting a massive crowd to attend the live performances there.

Omicron: Pakistan records highest positivity rate amid pandemic fifth wave

A journalist named Yusra Askari wrote on Twitter, “There’s still time to avert the disaster we’re heading towards – @murtazawahab1, please look into the prospects of converting the festival into a delivery only enterprise. Reorganising things wont be easy, but it isn’t impossible.”

There’s still time to avert the disaster we’re heading towards – @murtazawahab1, please look into the prospects of converting the festival into a delivery only enterprise. Reorganising things wont be easy, but it isn’t impossible. #KarachiEat #Covid_19 #Karachi #Pakistan

— Yusra Askari (@YusraSAskari) January 13, 2022

A senior journalist from Arab News Pakistan, Naimat Khan, said, “#KarachiEat is going to start tomorrow. When I reported this, positivity rate was 15.52%. Yesterday, it went over 22% &is expected to go up further. But they’re going to organize #karachieat, with hundred of thousands expected during 3-day food festival.”

#KarachiEat is going to start tomorrow. When I reported this, positivity rate was 15.52%. Yesterday, it went over 22% &is expected to go up further. But they’re going to organize #karachieat, with hundred of thousands expected during 3-day food festival https://t.co/bvIyxNheHb

— Naimat Khan (@NKMalazai) January 13, 2022

A user wrote, “Tbh I have been a fan of Karachi Eat, been there almost every year. Even promoted it foc as an influencer and blogger. But now, it’s a big No!”

Tbh I have been a fan of Karachi Eat, been there almost every year. Even promoted it foc as an influencer and blogger.
But now, it’s a big No!#karachieat

— Anum Batool Jaffry (@AnumJaffry) January 13, 2022

A Twitter user said, “Karachi eat is gonna be there next year too, your loved ones won’t be if you don’t set your priorities straight. 2-3 hours of having fun with your friends is worth nothing compared to a life!!”

Karachi eat is gonna be there next year too, your loved ones won’t be if you don’t set your priorities straight.
2-3 hours of having fun with your friends is worth nothing compared to a life!!#KarachiEatCanWait #BoycottKhiEat#KarachiEat

— haze (@onlyhazy) January 13, 2022

“With a 30% positivity rate of Omicron, #KarachiEatCanWait. Booster shot at the entrance will only give you protection after 14 days. It’s not a magic potion that will save you from getting infected right away. #KarachiEat,” criticised a netizen.

With a 30% positivity rate of Omicron, #KarachiEatCanWait. Booster shot at the entrance will only give you protection after 14 days. It’s not a magic potion that will save you from getting infected right away. #KarachiEat

— Fatima Karim 🧠🧑🏽🔬🔬 (@FatimaaKarimm) January 14, 2022

Another message read, “Take a look at the article below. By the way, what do you think about imposing a lockdown at any time.”

Take a look at the article below. By the way, what do you think about imposing a lockdown at any time.#KarachiEatCanWait https://t.co/z1133z7B1F

— Areesha (@AreeshY689) January 13, 2022

Latest data of Covid spread in Pakistan

It is important to mention here that Pakistan has reported 3,567 cases of COVID-19 with a positivity rate of 7.36 per cent and seven deaths in the past 24 hours after conducting 48,449 detection tests.

Statistics 14 Jan 22:
Total Tests in Last 24 Hours: 48,449
Positive Cases: 3567
Positivity %: 7.36%
Deaths :7
Patients on Critical Care: 675

— NCOC (@OfficialNcoc) January 14, 2022