ISLAMABAD: The federal government on Sunday extended lockdown for another three weeks till May 31 to contain the spread of novel COVID-19.
According to a notification, the federal government announced an extension in lockdown till 31st May with the exemption for the construction sector as the businesses related to the sector will now be opened with the implementation of SOPs.
The notification further said in the first phase of the opening, steel, plastic pipe, paint industries and electronic equipment have been opened, while sanitary works and hardware shops would also remain open.
Besides, shops in small markets will remain open under the SOPs for five days in a week, while parks and tennis courts also permitted to remain open with compliance with the standard operating procedures.
Flour mills, dairy shops, general stores, bakeries, meat shops, fruit shops and bread-makers shops will remain open throughout the week from 9:00 in the morning till 5:00 PM.
Hotels, filling, tire puncture shops, drivers’ stations and restaurants will remain open 24 hours, while postal carriers and pick and drop services will be opened from 9:00 in the morning till 5:00 PM.
All major shopping centers of Islamabad and in the surrounding areas will remain closed, according to the notification. All academic institutions and shopping malls, large restaurants and hotels will remain closed, the notification said.
On Saturday the Punjab government had announced to extend the lockdown across the province till May 3. According to a notification issued by the provincial home department, all the mega shopping malls and educational institutes will remain closed until the end of this month.
The notification further said barbershops, salons and beauty parlors have been allowed to open under the SOPs issued by the Punjab government. Grocery shops to remain open between 9:00 am to 5:00 pm across the province, read the notification.
Punjab has the highest number of coronavirus cases in Pakistan with the provincial tally at 11,093 while the death tally has reached 192 in the province.
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