Shopping malls, hotels, cinema halls reopened as Punjab ends lockdown

LAHORE (92 News) - The economic activity resumed as shopping malls, restaurants, transport, parks and gyms reopened from today (Monday) after reduction in Corona attack across Pakistan. Following the announcement of lifting lockdown by the federal government, the shopping malls, restaurants, hotels, gyms, theatres, cinema halls, beauty parlors across the country have been reopened from today with the implementation of SOPs. The Primary and Secondary Healthcare Department issued a notification following the decisions made in the August 6 meeting of the National Coordination Committee wherein it was decided to lift the restrictions on all sectors on August 10 and resume educational activities from Sept 15. “All sectors except Marriage/Marquees and Educational Institutions are hereby allowed to operate from 10th August 2020 subject to adoption of SOPs/ guidelines,” read the notification. Religious congregations will be allowed after approval of authorities concerned under health guidelines. Business hours and weekly holidays have been reverted back to pre-Covid-19 practice. Shopping malls and markets will remain open throughout the week while ban on pillion riding has also been lifted. All sports and games except Kabaddi, wrestling and rugby have also been resumed but without spectators. All kinds of public transport have also been allowed to operate under SOPs. Beauty parlors, exhibition centres, and shrines have also been allowed to open but taking permission from the administration before holding public events has been made compulsory. Earlier on August 6, Planning and Development Minister Asad Umar had announced that the government has decided to reopen dine-in restaurants, cafes, cinemas, parks and gyms from August 10 after a nearly five-month closure due to the Covid-19 pandemic.