Planning Minister Asad Umar has announced that the government will allow restaurants, cafes, indoor sports venues and gyms to reopen from August 10, after a closure of nearly five months due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Speaking to media after a meeting of the National Coordination Committee (NCC), he said it had been decided that restaurants, cafes and other eateries will be allowed to reopen by August 10 while the standard operating procedures (SOPs) for them will be finalised in the next few days.

He said non-contact sports were also being allowed to resume but without audiences, although tournaments and matches will be permitted.