The Punjab government announced on Tuesday that all schools across the province, including those in Lahore and Multan, would reopen starting November 20 (tomorrow), following an improvement in air quality.

“The ambient air quality has improved in Punjab, due to rain in upper parts of Punjab, change in wind direction and speed. Therefore, all the educational institutions in the whole province, including Lahore and Multan Division, shall be opened with effect from Nov 20 [Wednesday] with the physical presence of students/staff,” the provincial government said in a notification.

Punjab, home to more than half of Pakistan’s 240 million people, closed schools in its major cities on November 6, and on Friday extended the closure to November 24. Last month, the smog situation in Punjab was declared a “calamity.”

Recent changes in wind direction have led to a notable improvement in air quality, with Lahore’s air quality index (AQI) finally dropping out of the hazardous category for the first time in 12 days. Meteorologists predict that smog intensity will continue to decrease in the coming days, allowing students to return to classrooms safely.

This comes a day after the provincial government eased anti-smog measures and revised the timings of hotels and restaurants.

Seasonal crop burn-off by farmers on the outskirts of the city also contributes to toxic air the WHO says can cause strokes, heart disease, lung cancer and respiratory diseases.

The opening time of schools would not be before 8:45am, the provincial government said and added that wearing masks was also mandatory for students and staff.

It added that there would be a complete ban on outdoor sports and outdoor co-curricular activities till further orders. The agency ordered all educational institutions to introduce class-wise school closing timings to avoid traffic congestion.

A notification by Punjab’s Higher Education Department also said that all public and private educational institutions under its control would open from Wednesday subject to the same restrictions mandated by the EPA.

It also directed the vice-chancellors of universities and the directors of colleges across the province to ensure compliance with its order.

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Schools in Faisalabad and Gujranwala divisions of Punjab reopened on Tuesday (today) following an improvement in smog conditions.

School authorities would determine dismissal times based on class schedules. The SOPs apply to all public and private schools.

Separately, the Environment Department has issued a notification allowing hotels, restaurants, and food outlets to operate until 10pm. Dine-in, parking lot dining, and takeaway services will be available until this time, with no restrictions on home delivery services.