KATHMANDU: The government has urged people to not leave the Kathmandu Valley or enter Kathmandu valley during the Dashain festival.

Announcing the decisions of the Council of Ministers held on Tuesday, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Government Spokesperson Pradeep Gyawali urged people not to leave Kathmandu this time saying that it will increase the coronavirus infections in the country.

“Although COVID-19 is gradually coming under control in other districts, the Kathmandu Valley is still at high-risk of  coronavirus. More than a half of the infected people across the country are from the Kathmandu valley,” said Minister Gyawali.

He added that the government has also urged people to take special precautionary measures while carrying out daily activities.

Minister Gyawali also urged people to refrain from taking blessings from their parents who are above 60 years of age as putting “Tika” during Dashain festival will put the elderly people at risk.

“Dashain is just around the corner. We all know, it is customary to receive blessings from guardians and parents and elderly people. But this does not mean that we should put our parents, grandparents, uncles and aunts at risk,” he said.

He also urged parents to maintain distance while giving blessings to their children.