Pakistan lifted the ban on the transfer of goods to Afghanistan on Saturday, permitting the entry of trucks carrying food and other supplies, as provided for by the Afghan Transit Trade agreement, Pakistani news agencies reported.

The crossings between the two countries, especially in Kandahar’s Spinboldak district, were closed by Pakistan to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.

The Chaman-Spinboldak crossing was closed on March 1.

The announcement came in a tweet by Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan on March 20, who said “despite global pandemic of COVID 19, we remain committed to supporting our Afghan brothers and sisters. I have given instructions to open the Chaman-Spinboldak border and let trucks crossover into Afghanistan. In time of crisis, we remain steadfast with Afghanistan.”

Pakistan’s The News reports that in the first phase, 50 trucks with fresh fruit and vegetables entered Afghanistan after clearance from customs officials.

The report quoted officials saying that the clearance process was completed late on Friday.