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ISLAMABAD: Pakistanis crowded markets on Saturday (May 9) after the closure of COVID-19 eased across the country, despite the country declaring its second-highest daily number of infections.
Prime Minister Imran Khan has allowed companies to reopen in phases since the weekend, citing the economic chaos that virus restrictions have caused in the makeshift nation.
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In the garrison town of Rawalpindi, thousands of shoppers were gearing up for Eid, which follows the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan, with many rules for social withdrawal and tips for wearing masks.
In the southern port city of Karachi, merchants displayed their articles of shoes, clothing, bracelets and fabrics, while in the capital, Islamabad, shoppers stood in long lines while waiting for stores to open.
Similar scenes were played out in Lahore, Quetta and Peshawar.
The relaxation comes as many across the country have openly ignored restrictions on public gatherings for the past month, especially at night as people celebrate Ramadan. (Photo: AFP / Aamir Qureshi)
Omar Shirazi, a banker who buys clothes with his daughter in Rawalpindi, appreciated the move.
“Eid is coming,” he said. “We have to buy new clothes for our children. It is the responsibility of the people to comply with the regulations and to use safety equipment.”
Tehmina Sattar, who was shopping with her sister and children, was more cautious.
“We are happy with this decision, but at the same time I am afraid that if this disease spreads, it could be devastating. People here are not taking preventive measures.”
The country’s information minister, Shibli Faraz, warned on Saturday that the blockade on companies would be re-imposed if security guidelines are not followed, after authorities reported more than 1,600 new cases in the past 24 hours.
A boy enjoys a shower on a street in the southern port city of Karachi. (Photo: AFP / Asif Hassan)
Infections have steadily increased as testing has increased, with more than 27,000 cases and more than 600 registered deaths in the nation of more than 210 million.
The relaxation comes as many across the country have openly ignored restrictions on public gatherings for the past month, especially at night as people celebrate Ramadan.
However, schools will remain closed until mid-July, while there are no plans to restart public transportation or domestic flights.
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