KATHMANDU: The public vehicles that were carrying passengers without complying with the government-stipulated health protocol in view of the COVID-19 outbreak risk have come under police action.

The Metropolitan Traffic Police Division took action against 30 public vehicles breaching the health protocol in the Kathmandu Valley. Division Chief Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Bhim Prasad Dhakal informed that the public vehicles were found routing the stipulated health criteria in course of the special screening.

He said the vehicles violating the protocol were released on a condition of not repeating same mistake again and would be booked if such action was found next time.

The government has made arrangements that all the passengers on-board the public vehicles should mandatorily wear masks and use sanitizer; the drivers should wear masks and gloves; only one passenger should be seated in a single row and vehicle fair should not exceed 50 percent than the stated amount.

Special teams have been mobilized from all 44 traffic offices to enforce the new stipulated arrangement.