ISLAMABAD: People across Pakistan will observe Eid Al-Fitr holidays from May 10 to 15, the country’s interior ministry announced in a notification on Monday.
The weeklong break is part of the government’s “Stay Home Stay Safe Strategy” amid a third wave of the coronavirus pandemic and a surge in COVID-19 cases.
“It is notified for general information that 10th to 15th (Monday-Saturday) May, 2021 shall be public holidays on the occasion of Holy Festival of Eid Al-Fitr,” the interior ministry said.
Notification to observe Eid Al-Fitr holidays from May 10 to 15 in Pakistan issued by country’s interior ministry on May 3, 2021. (Courtesy: Interior Ministry of Pakistan)
Last week, the interior ministry also announced a ban on tourism and intercity movement through public transportation from May 8 to 16 to curb the rising number of infections in the country.
All markets, including Eid bazaars, businesses, and shops will also remain closed except for those providing essential services such as grocery stores and pharmacies.
Pakistan’s National Command and Operation Center (NCOC), which oversees the country’s pandemic response, has also ordered airlines to cut the number of inbound flights to Pakistan between May 5 and 20.
As hospitals run out of space, the country’s planning minister Asad Umar informed in a series of tweets last Friday that the government had decided to import 6,000 tons of oxygen, though he added that the measure was part of the administration’s “proactive decision making” that also allowed it to enhance the capacity of its health sector by increasing oxygen production and the number of hospital beds.
Pakistan reported 3,377 new coronavirus cases and 161 related deaths in the last 24 hours. The country also performed 37,587 tests during the same period and has 5,326 critical cases.
