Pakistan to open dine-in restaurants, businesses today

ISLAMABAD: All restaurants, hotels, gyms, theatres, cinemas, beauty salons, and other businesses have reopened across the country after sanctions imposed on Pakistan to curb the spread of the coronavirus have been lifted.

As per details, all the restrictions on the business activities across the country have also been lifted from today with strict enforcement of SOPs (Standard Operating Procedures) issued in the wake of coronavirus. 

Punjab and Balochistan government lifted the lockdown on Monday, allowing all sectors except marriage halls and educational institutes to operate under safety measures outlined by the government. The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan governments have issued notifications on the decisions of the National Command and Operations Center, but Sindh and Punjab have not yet issued notifications.

The Sindh government also allowed restaurants and other businesses to remain open until 9 pm throughout the week. The government has also given permission to hold events for non-contact sports. All air, train and road transport is being resumed.

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The pre-lockdown situation has been restored across the country. Despite the end of the lockdown and the lifting of sanctions, Prime Minister Imran Khan has appealed to the nation to exercise caution. It may be recalled that the first case of coronavirus in Pakistan was registered on 26th February, later, the federal government had decided to lock it down in March.

It is pertinent to mention that a total of more than 6,000 deaths have been reported in Pakistan due to the coronavirus and 284,121 people have been diagnosed with the virus.