PESHAWAR: The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) health department has issued new Covid-19 restrictions for 11 districts – Nowshera, Swabi, Mardan, Chitral Upper, Chitral Lower, Manshera, Kohat, Karak, Dera Ismael Khan – from 23 August 2021.
A notification issued by the health department said that all commercial activities and markets shall be closed by 08:00 pm in the province except all medical services ad pharmacies, vaccination centres, tandoor, dairy shops, hotels/restaurants, takeaways, services electricity, natural gas, Cellular Network, petrol pumps and agricultural machineries shops/ workshops.
The notification said that all types of Commercial activities will be completely closed on two consecutive days in a week from 23 August 2021. The health department notification said that all types of indoor marriage / function shall be banned while outdoor marriages will be allowed with maximum 300 guests with strict Covid-19 SOPs till 10:00 pm.
The notification further said that all types of indoor gatherings including cultural, musical, and religious events shall be banned; however, outdoor gatherings will be allowed for maximum 300 individuals under strict Covid-19 protocols.
All public private offices and establishments shall strictly follow the policy of work from home for 50% of their staff. The health department directed that wearing of face masks is mandatory at all public places. The public transport, intra-city, intercity and inter provincial are allowed to operate at 50% of capacity with strict implementation of SOPs including wearing of face mask.
The health department has already imposed ban on all type of snacks serving to the passengers during journey by the transport services.
Similarly besides the closures of all cinemas, amusement parks, water sports and swimming pools and shrines, all types of contact Sports, Karate, Boxing, Rugby, Water Polo, Kabaddi, wrestling and other activities and events is remain banned. The notification said that indoor Gyms will be open only for vaccinated individuals.
“Policy of controlled tourism for vaccinated individuals will continue. District administration and Police shall work in close liaison to ensure strict implementation of this order,” the notification said.