ISLAMABAD: The capital administration on Friday announced new timings and closing days for business and commercial activities to prevent the spread of Covid-19.

According to a notification issued by Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Hamza Shafqaat, in exercise of powers under the Epidemic Diseases Control Act 1958 and in compliance with the directions of the National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC) issued on May 19, a complete ban is imposed on all commercial activities in the city after 8pm.

All markets and establishments shall remain closed after 8pm. Exemption is granted only to pharmacies/medical stores, medical facilities and vaccination centres, petrol pumps, tandoors, milk/dairy shops, karyana stores, bakeries, fruit/vegetable and dry fruit shops, opticians, food takeaway/home delivery from restaurants, e-commerce (home delivery), utility services, (Iesco, SNGPL, sanitation/environment/water/directorates of the CDA/MCI, internet and cellular networks/telecom), call centres and media outlets which will open 24 hours a day.

Saturdays and Sundays shall be observed as closed days whereby all commercial activities shall be banned and markets/establishments shall remain closed. However, exemption is granted to essential services.

Markets to remain closed on Saturdays, Sundays; no business after 8pm, says notification

There shall be a ban on indoor weddings/functions throughout the capital and all marriage halls, community centres, marquees and event halls shall remain closed. Indoor weddings in halls with structural adjustments/ventilation options shall not be allowed either.

Outdoor weddings shall be allowed with effect from June 1with a maximum limit of 150 guests and strict implementation of the Covid-19 standard operating procedures (SOPs).

There shall also be a complete ban on indoor dining but outdoor dining, including food courts in malls, shall be allowed till 11:59pm from May 24. Takeaways/home delivery shall be allowed round the clock. Amusement parks shall remain closed but walking/jogging tracks shall remain open subject to strict adherence to the safety measures.

All public/private offices and establishments shall resume normal working hours and follow the policy of work from home for 50pc of their staff. Moreover, cinemas/theatres shall remain closed and there shall also be a ban on opening of shrines.

The notification said there shall be a complete ban on sports, festivals, cultural, social and other events.

All inter-provincial, intercity and intra-city public transport shall operate at 50pc of the total capacity however the inter-provincial public transport shall remain closed on Saturdays and Sundays from May 22.

Exemption is granted to goods/freight, medical and other emergency services, it added.

The notification said that the tourism sector shall be allowed to open from May 24 subject to strict adherence to the SOPs.

Industrial and agricultural activities and establishments shall remain exempted from the operation of this order, the notification said, adding the order shall come into force immediately and shall remain in force till June 15.

Published in Dawn, May 22nd, 2021