Punjab Bans Religious, Private Gatherings Ahead Of Eid To Prevent Covid Spread

Ahead of Eidul Azha, the Punjab government has imposed a blanket ban on social and religious gatherings 'at any place, public or private' till Aug 5 to stem the growth of Covid-19.

In a notification issued on Monday, the Punjab Primary and Secondary Healthcare Department said: "All educational and training institutes, marriage halls, business centres, expo halls, restaurants, theme/amusement parks, play areas and arcades, beauty parlours and spas, cinemas and theatres will remain closed."


"There shall be a complete ban on sporting tournaments/matches (indoor and outdoor) except non-contact professional sports without spectators. All contact sports and indoor sports clubs/facilities shall remain closed."

"All retail shops, markets, shopping malls and plazas shall remain closed," the notification said. However, exceptions were made for some, including pharmacies postal services, petrol pumps and takeaway/home delivery for restaurants, which will be allowed to operate for 24 hours.

Grocery stores, bakeries, corner shops, fruit and vegetable shops, meat and milk shops and tandoors will be allowed to operate from 6am to 12am while inter-city and inter-district public transport will be allowed to operate round-the-clock.

Amid a smart lockdown across the province, the number of positive coronavirus cases is on the decline. On July 21, Punjab reported mere 253 cases for the first time since May 22, taking the provincial tally to 90,444.