KATHMANDU: In a move to further ease the nationwide lockdown enforced to control the spread of coronavirus, the government has decided to allow operation of public transport.

A recent Cabinet meeting decided to allow operation of public transport within the same district with fifty percent sitting capacity, government Spokesperson Dr. Yubaraj Khatiwada said a regular press conference on Thursday.

It should be noted that Kathmandu Valley will be considered as a single district.

In the case of a taxi, only two persons except the cabbie will be allowed to board.

Public vehicles can charge passengers 50 percent more than the current fare, Dr. Khatiwada said, adding that all health-related precautions should be mandatorily followed, he said.

As per the health protocol, all passengers on public transport must wear a mask, use sanitizer, and the driver must wear a mask and gloves.

The decision comes on the heels of a decline in coronavirus cases. Nepal had reported only 108 new cases in the past 24 hours.

People were facing a lot of hardship in commuting to their workplace and other destinations like hospitals as the public transport vehicles were not operating.

All public transports were closed after Nepal had enforced the lockdown on March 24.