KATHMANDU: Public health experts have suggested the government to enforce another lockdown, even curfew if necessary, following a spike in coronavirus cases.

During the discussion held at the Prime Minister’s residence in Baluwatar on Tuesday afternoon, the experts suggested PM Oli play an effective role in controlling the coronavirus by enforcing the lockdown for at least two weeks.

“Experts warned of dire consequences as the general people are flatly defying basic public health standards for COVID-19. They called on the government to play an effective role in controlling the situation by announcing a two-week lockdown soon,” said Chairman of Janata Samajwadi Party Mahanta Thakur while emerging from the meeting.

Stating the Prime Minister has taken the suggestion positively, Thakur said that the Prime Minister said that he would reach a conclusion after further discussions.

During the meeting, Prime Minister Oli said that it would be easier to fight against the pandemic if the people are made more aware.

“Coronavirus can’t be controlled just by the government, the more awareness is created among the people, it will be easier to fight against the pandemic,” he said.

He said the tendency to take the crisis as an opportunity to protest should be changed.

President of the main opposition Nepali Congress, Sher Bahadur Deuba, who participated in the discussion, suggested that everyone should work hard to maintain social distance and wearing masks should be made mandatory.

Earlier, the Prime Minister had consulted with the health experts on easing the lockdown that was enforced for 120 days from March 24.

Lately, the infection has been increasing in Birgunj, Dhanusha and other places of Province-2 and also in Kathmandu Valley. Nepal reported 418 fresh cases including 51 in the Valley on Monday.