The government has allowed the wedding functions to last only two hours with a deadline of 10 pm.

The National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC) Friday issued a notification announcing the standard operating procedures (SOPs) for marriage halls.

According to the notification, a crowd of 300 will be allowed at indoor events and 500 at outdoor events.

The NCOC warned that if the wedding halls do not follow the SOPs strictly, they will be sealed and a heavy fine will be imposed.

The NCOC called for strictly ensuring that SOPs are followed if public gatherings are absolutely necessary. Further discussion on public gatherings was underway and a decision regarding them will be made.

Wedding halls across Pakistan were allowed reopen after six months of closure on September 15. Earlier in March this year, the halls were closed down after the number of coronavirus cases in the country spiked. The National Command and Operation Centre, however, announced that as the cases in the country were on a downward trend now and the halls were allowed to reopen.

Following this, Punjab, Sindh and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa issued notifications removing the ban on them. The halls will, however, have to strictly implement coronavirus precautionary SOPs given by the government.

The instructions are listed below:

Only close family members and relatives will be allowed to attend the wedding

No hugging or shaking of hands

Wearing face masks is compulsory for everyone inside the halls

People will flu will not be allowed inside the halls

The halls will be sanitised regularly in intervals

One family will be allowed to sit at one table

The tables will be placed at a distance of one meter

Food will be served at each table or a buffet system can be practiced but in gaps

Halls to use only 50% of their capacity

Visitors will be checked for fevers with a thermal gun before entering