Pakistan extends COVID-19 lockdown until May 9

Pakistan on Friday extended until May 9 the ongoing lockdown aimed at stemming the fast-increasing coronavirus cases in the country.

Asad Umar, Minister for Planning and Development, announced the decision taken by the National Coordination Committee, a government body formed to deal with the coronavirus crisis which was chaired by Prime Minister Imran Khan.

"The coming few weeks are crucial [concerning the coronavirus outbreak]. That's why the government has decided to further extend the lockdown," said Umar, who is also the head of the government's anti-COVID-19 campaign.

Last month, Pakistan had imposed a countrywide lockdown closing down shops, markets, shopping centers, and government, and private offices except for emergency service, in a desperate move to curb the surging COVID-19 cases.

On April 14, Khan had announced a two-week extension in the countrywide lockdown until April 30 easing restrictions on several "low-risk" industries, including construction, agriculture, e-commerce, paper and packaging, and others to resume the business activities and to stem a deepening economic meltdown caused by the coronavirus crisis.

Dhaka/Mukul