Gilgit-Baltistan Chief Minister Hafeezur Rehman has announced new social restrictions as 10 new COVID-19 cases were confirmed in the region among pilgrims who returned from Iran.

He announced at a presser that local tourists will be barred from visiting the region for 3 weeks while foreign tourists will be allowed to enter after certification.

All markets in the region will be closed from March 21, Rehman announced. He alleged that the number of cases in GB has risen due to "poor arrangements" in Balochistan, where pilgrims entered from Iran.