LAHORE: As the educational institutions are opening after a long break on Monday (today), the Punjab primary and secondary healthcare department has issued fresh instructions for the observance of SOPs to keep masses from the still raging coronavirus infection.

After getting formal approval from the chief minister, the primary and secondary healthcare department has instructed that all public and private offices shall follow the policy of “Work from home for 50 per cent of the staff”. It instructed that all citizens shall use face covering in confined public places.

The health department has lifted the ban requiring outdoor dining should close at 10pm. Takeaways shall also be allowed. All public parks, however, shall continue to be closed by 6pm.

The holding of marriage and other functions indoors will remain banned. However, weddings and other events organised outdoors will be allowed with upper limit of maximum 300 guests and that too subject to adoption of Covid SOPs and guidelines.

The health department has notified that there would remain a complete ban on all types of large-scale indoor gatherings, while only outdoor gatherings shall be allowed with upper limit of maximum 300 persons. The SOPs implementation will be responsibility of organisers.

The fresh order has come into force at once and remained enforced till Feb 28, 2021 unless otherwise amended.

Published in Dawn, February 1st, 2021