The National Command and Operation Centre announced on Wednesday a number of decisions to ease the coronavirus restrictions in Pakistan.
The decisions were made at a meeting presided over by Planning Minister Asad Umar in Islamabad.
Here are the measures that will take effect from May 24:
- Outdoor dining allowed at restaurants till 12am
- Takeaways allowed around the clock
- Tourist spots allowed to open with strict COVID-19 protocols in place
- Schools and universities will be reopened in districts with less than 5% coronavirus positivity rate
- Gadani and Misri Shah industry will be re-opened from May 20
Restrictions that will be eased from June 1:
- Outdoor weddings can take place with 150 guests
- Schools and universities to reopen
- Elective surgeries will resume June 1
The following measures will be reviewed on May 27:
- Wearing masks in public places
- Continuation of current in-bound and land border policy till further orders
- All SSC / HSSC exams will be held after June 20. Professional exams will take place on a case-to-case basis as recommended by the Ministry of Education
The NCOC said the following restrictions will remain in place till further orders:
- Closure of shrines, cinemas, indoor gyms
- Ban on indoor dining
- Closure of amusement parks (walking / jogging tracks will stay open with strict SOPs)
- Complete ban on sports, cultural and other events
- Ban on all types of indoor and outdoor gatherings (cultural, musical and religious)
- Inter-provincial transport to remain suspended on Saturdays and Sundays