Businesses begin resumption across Pakistan

• Public and private educational institutions, cinemas, public transport, entertainment venues, wedding halls will also remain closed.

After the government permission, the process of resuming business in different cities of the country including Karachi has started.

According to the Sindh Home Department, the business has been allowed to open after the Sindh government issued rules and regulations. Businesses will be open from 8 am to 4 pm. However, it is the shopkeeper's responsibility to keep a social distance between the customers who come to the shop.

Chairman All-City Traders Ittihad Hakeem Shah said that he was grateful to the Sindh government for allowing him to open a business. No buyers without wearing a mask will be allowed to enter the store, traders will ensure social distance to avoid Corona, acknowledging the lockdown decision in the national interest.

On the other hand, today is the first day of easing of partial lockdown across Punjab. After about 50 days, the business will be open in all districts of Punjab including Lahore from today. All businesses in the city will be open from 8 am to 5 pm. However, major plazas and shopping malls will remain closed.

Public and private educational institutions, cinemas, public transport, entertainment venues, wedding halls will also remain closed.

According to the Punjab government's decision, the business will be open four days a week from Monday to Thursday till further orders, while the remaining three days of the week will be partially locked on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Grocery stores, dairy and meat shops and medical stores will remain open during the partial lockdown. After easing the partial lockdown in Lahore, traffic on city roads was increased and police checkpoints were reduced.

The Punjab government has issued SOPs for opening businesses under which it will be necessary to maintain social distance during conducting business. Violation can result in imprisonment of 2 to 6 months and a fine of up to Rs50,000. Shops and markets that do not comply with SOPs will be closed. Shopkeepers and customers will be required to wear a mask and wash their hands or use a sanitizer. Shopkeepers and market management will be responsible for maintaining the social distance between customers. Police and district administration officials will monitor shops and markets.

Business centers also opened in Quetta. Citizens continue to shop at shoe stores, including jewelry, barbers, and tailors.