All businesses and markets have reopened from today with the standard operating procedures (SOPs) after the Punjab government has ended the strict lockdown

The lockdown, as per previous notification, was to end on August 5 but it has been lifted two days before the announced date.

The decision has been taken after satisfactory results of samples collected from temporary cattle markets.

As per the notification, grocery and milk shops are allowed to open around the week from 9am to 7pm. A ban on religious and political gathering will remain effective, while schools, marriage halls, hotels and resturants will also remain closed due to smart lockdown.

However, pharmacies postal services, petrol pumps and takeaway/home delivery for restaurants were allowed to run for 24 hours.

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 had been ordered to remain shut.