Recreational activities, bakeries in Punjab will reopen tomorrow

As smog levels ease in Punjab, the provincial government has eased restrictions on recreational and other commercial activities.

In a notification issued by DG Environment Dr Imran Hamid Sheikh, it was announced that recreational places across the province would reopen tomorrow.

Parks, zoos, playgrounds and outdoor sports and recreation facilities were allowed to reopen, and opening hours were extended to 8 p.m. Additionally, all kinds of festivals and exhibitions will be resumed.

Bakeries are also allowed to operate after 8 p.m. The government, however, retained earlier closing hours for markets in major cities including Lahore, Multan, Faisalabad and Gujranwala. All shops, shopping centers and markets will close at 8 p.m. on weekdays and on Saturdays and Sundays.

Exceptions apply to essential service providers such as pharmacies, tandoors, department stores and grocery stores, which are allowed to operate indefinitely.

Following the order of the Lahore High Court, markets in Lahore, Faisalabad, Gujranwala and Multan divisions were ordered to close at 8 p.m. on November 11. Director General of Environment Imran Hamid Sheikh issued a notification stating that all malls, shops and restaurants in these wards must follow the new schedules. The restrictions were supposed to last until November 17, but were later extended.

The directive also banned outdoor dining in restaurants and at public gatherings such as festivals and concerts in all affected departments. However, pharmacies, medical stores, laboratories and bakeries were exempt from the restriction. Large department stores could also keep grocery sections open.