TASHKENT (Xinhua) — Uzbekistan has reopened its border with neighbouring Kyrgyzstan and will further ease COVID-19 lockdown measures starting from September 5, the country’s coronavirus commission announced Tuesday.

In addition, theatres, cinema halls, restaurants and cafes can reopen from September 5 with strict sanitary rules, the commission said, adding that weddings and other family ceremonies can only be held at home with no more than 30 guests.

A ban on mass gatherings, beauty salons and nightclubs will remain in place.

Uzbek authorities previously announced they would reopen schools beginning mid-September, with variations based on the regional coronavirus threat level.

Uzbekistan has so far registered 42,127 COVID-19 cases, with 323 deaths and 39,538 recoveries.