ISLAMABAD: Dine-in restaurants, salons, gyms and other businesses which were shuttered during the novel coronavirus will reopen from today (Monday) as Pakistan limps back to normalcy after its efforts to contain the pandemic seem to be bearing fruit.
The National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC) had announced on Thursday that cinemas, theatres, gyms, public points and dine-in restaurants will reopen across the country from Monday, August 10 subject to implementation of coronavirus safety guidelines and SOPs.
Shopping malls and other businesses are set to remain open as per the pre-lockdown timings.
Tourism limps back to normalcy after COVID-19 lockdown
Tourist destinations all across the country — which received a boost on Saturday when the government decided to allow hotels to reopen there — saw the revival of business there as people flocked to take in the sights and enjoy after months of being forced to remain indoors.
However, the government has said that it would monitor whether the COVID-19 SOPs are being implemented or not. Hotels at tourist destinations will open to fewer number of people who will be asked to wear face masks and practice social distancing.
A number of tourists on Sunday flocked to Naran, Kaghan, Nathiagali, Murree, Swat, and other tourist destinations in the Hazara division where police, along with officials of the health department, were on the road to facilitate them.
“After the lockdown restrictions eased around the country, our favorite places are reopening their doors to welcome us once again,” said Sami Shabbi, an overjoyed tourist in Murree.
A group of youngsters in Murree regretted that a large number of people flocked to popular tourist sites and major cities over the weekend despite warnings from health authorities that the risk posed by the coronavirus pandemic remained far from over.
The Punjab government on Friday issued standard operating procedures (SOPs) to be implemented by the restaurants and fast food businesses when they resume operations from Monday, as well as for the tourism sector which reopened today.
The Primary & Secondary Healthcare Department issued the SOPs on the recommendation of the Technical Working Group after the National Coordination Committee (NCC) decided to ease lockdown restrictions from restaurants, sports, tourism and entertainment sectors after seeing new cases drop for several weeks.
