Balochistan Monday extended the lockdown for further 15 days till August 17.

According to a notification issued by Balochistan's Home and Tribal Affairs Department, the Covid-19 lockdown - imposed in the country since the virus' outbreak in February - in the province has been extended till August 17.

The provincial government has also allowed trade centres to remain open from 9 am to 10 pm while tandoors, milk shops, medical stores and medical stores have been allowed to remain open for 24 hours.

According to the notification, hotels and restaurants are also allowed to remain open round the clock but only for home delivery and take away services.

Educational institutes, marriage halls, cinemas, farmhouses and picnic points will remain close. The provincial government also extended a ban on the gathering of 10 or more people as well as any kind of protest camps, sit-ins, processions and rallies. The ban on pillion riding, political and religious gatherings will also stay intact. There will also be a ban on the meetings with prisoners in the jails as well.

The notification maintains that the "threat of Coronavirus spread still exists and the restrictions on social distancing and precautionary measures are, therefore, required to be put in place for the safety of human lives".

The notification further states that "the Government of Balochistan believes that there are sufficient grounds to proceed under Section 144 of "The Code of Criminal Procedure 1898" as an immediate preventive and speedy remedy and the directions hereinafter appearing are necessary to ensure public safety, conserve lives, and maintain peace and tranquillity in the Province of Balochistan".