PESHAWAR: The public holidays in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa have been extended till May 15 in a bid to contain the coronavirus pandemic in the province. 

A formal notification to this effect was issued on Thursday. According to the notification, public holidays shall stand extended till May 15 except certain exemptions already given.

All restaurants, eateries and fast food points shall remain closed till further orders, the notification stated. “Home delivery and takeaway already allowed under parameters shall continue,” it added. The notification said that all tourist destinations already vacated, including those in the upper mountainous parts of the province, aside the rivers and other spots shall remain closed till further orders.

It was also notified that mawaishi mandis (cattle markets) and their supply chains shall stand open subject to the condition of framing and implementation of specific standard operating procedures for the purpose by the Agriculture Department.

“Entry of visitors to jails shall remain temporarily banned to avoid spread of infection in confined places till further orders,” it stated. Inter-district passenger public transport would remain suspended till further orders, the notification said. It added that intra-district passenger public transport would remain suspended till further orders except rickshaws, private vehicles and vehicles rented for labour movement of exempted departments. “The limitations of remaining open not later than 4 pm in day shall not apply to milk and yoghurt shops and their supply chains too,” the notification stated.