KARACHI: It’s that time of year once more! Due to the increase of Covid-19 instances around the country, now is the time to mask up and strictly follow the SOPs. Despite the fact that Karachi’s optimism rate has risen to 20% in the previous 36 hours, Karachi Eat, the port city’s largest food festival, is still taking place from January 14 to 16 at Beach View Park in Clifton.
With the Omicron variant fueling a dramatic surge in coronavirus cases, many have expressed qualms about hosting the event, which would draw thousands of people. Many people took to social media to suggest that Karachi Eat be postponed in order to contain the spike in Covid-19 infections.
Really excited about Karachi CovEat 2022. Pakistan had yet to create its own variant and this gives us a great chance. Proud of everyone planning to attend.
— Ahmer Naqvi (@karachikhatmal) January 12, 2022
The event will follow strict SOPs, according to Mohsin Ahmed (Head of PR) at East River, the official agency for Karachi Eat. “Karachi Eat is mindful of the present scenario in the city,” Ahmed said in a statement to The Express Tribune, “which is why all possible safety steps have been deployed to ensure a safe and pleasurable festival for all Karachi people.”
“All of our vendors have been fully informed of our protocols and have agreed to assist us in ensuring everyone’s safety,” the statement continued. He further stated that attendees who wish to purchase tickets at the venue will be turned away. “Not only have we made online ticketing easier, but we will no longer sell tickets at the venue on Friday, the opening day, to avoid long lines and unnecessary crowds.”
Karachi Eat 2022 Tickets
A large number of people are expected to attend the food festival. To alleviate the pressure and haphazardness at the ticketing booths, the festival’s organizers teamed up with ‘Ticket Wala’ for online ticketing. A limited number of discounted internet tickets are available. Furthermore, there will be four working gates at the festival’s entry to prevent crowding at the ticket offices.
The statement went on to say, “We strongly advise everyone attending to get vaccinated and wear a mask. Violations will be met with a zero-tolerance policy, and teams have been dispatched around the facility to verify that SOPs are followed.”
What began with a few stalls in Frere Hall in 2014 has grown into one of the city’s largest and most anticipated food festivals, with a larger space and even more stalls.
Thousands of foodies attend the event each year, which features a wide variety of local and international cuisines as well as live entertainment. Experts have recommended against conducting such events, citing a 22 percent coronavirus positivity rate in Karachi recorded by the Sindh health department.
