KATHMANDU: Alert at the worldwide widening coronavirus pandemic, Nepal’s government enforced the nationwide lockdown on March 24. The public was ordered to cancel all gatherings and was also ordered to stay inside unless for most essential works.

The public cooperated with the government decree and stayed inside; those who had to come out were cautiously equipped with masks, gloves and goggles. However, the lockdown expanded for nearly 3 months lost the patience of the public.

Keeping the suffocation the people were facing and the hardship resulted from the lockdown the government decided to loosen the lockdown from June 15.

The loosening of the lockdown is reviving the city, but, the complications seem increasing as the number of COVID-19 cases in the valley are going alarmingly up and the public is becoming more carefree is safety measures to be adopted individually.

As a means to check it, the government is coming more strictly against those who come to the streets without masks.

After sensitizing the public through placards and slogans, the traffic police, as per the instruction from the Ministry of Home has started taking the people without a mask in control.

According to the Ministry of Health and Population, Nepal has got 16,168 coronavirus cases till Tuesday when 35 have lost their lives due to this pandemic.

Lately, the COVID-19 cases are seen alarmingly high in the valley. Although Tuesday saw only 28 cases, there were 54 cases on Monday.

When the coronavirus cases seem to make the valley a new hub, the public is seen coming out without mask.

As a controlling measure, the Ministry of Home Affairs has written to the District Administration Office and Police of all 77 districts to pound heavily against those who challenge the security regulations.

After the new decree from the authority, the police have come sincerely to enforce the government order.

“As per the instructions from the Ministry of Home Affairs, we have taken action against the people who travel or walk without masks,” SSP Bhim Raj Dhakal, the high official at the Metropolitan office said, “The police have been taking action against the pedestrians sans masks whereas the traffic police have been ensuring everyone on vehicle puts on a mask.”

He informed that traffic police have been using placards to sensitize the public.

In a short time on Tuesday, the Police nabbed more than 1000 people sans masks.

“We have reminded 1071 riders of two-wheelers not to forget the masks in when they come out again, SSP Dhakal said, “if they don’t abide by such measures such violators will be sued as per the Infectious Disease Act 1964.”

The Act lets the authority fine up to Rs 100 and imprison the violators of the regulations for a month.

Similarly, Dhakal informed that 1,114 vehicles disobeying the odd-even number system have been booked for action till date.