The Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) government has announced a lockdown for “mobility control measures” from May 8 to 16 in light of the decisions made by the National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC) late last month.

All businesses and shops will remain closed during the lockdown except those dealing with essential services and commodities, said a notification issued by the AJK home department in Muzaffarabad.

The businesses that have been allowed to operate round the clock include pharmacies, medical facilities and vaccination centres, fuel stations, tyre repair shops, tandoors and dairy shops, takeaways, e-commerce (home delivery), utility services, such as electricity, natural gas, internet, telecommunications networks, and media.

Vegetable, fruit, chicken and meat shops, grocery stores, bakeries and sweet shops, will also remain open on a daily basis but until 6pm, the notification added.