KATHMANDU: Eighteen local levels in the Kathmandu valley decided to postpone their service delivery except for the essential ones until August 31.

The Valley Municipality Forum made such a decision on Monday citing the risk of coronavirus infection.

Likewise, a decision has been made to widen the scope of contact tracing and testing of coronavirus with coordination of the Ministry of Health and Population for the prevention and control of the virus.

Forum’s Chairman and Mayor of Kathmandu Metropolitan City Bidya Sundar Shakya said that the jobs of contact tracing and testing would be done from Tuesday in different municipalities in the valley based on a routine.

As per the records of the valley’s local levels till date a total of 2,746 cases were reported and contact tracing of almost 28,500 individuals would be conducted, Shakya shared about the Forum’s preparation.

As decided, tests of those individuals would be completed by August 31 and the valley dwellers are urged to apply the best precautions to remain safe from the virus.

Health Minister’s Public Health Advisor Dr. Khem Karki, at the meeting, said that the valley has at least 15,000 cases as per the estimates adding, “Situation will be dreadful if we failed to break the chain. So, we have to work round-the-clock to contain the coronavirus.”

The representatives present at the meeting called for giving top priority for contact tracing, testing and isolation measures to control the pandemic coronavirus.