KATHMANDU: The High-Level Coordination Committee on the Prevention and Containment of COVID-19 has concluded that the lockdown can’t be loosened in the existing situation.

The committee is of the opinion that the lockdown should be strictly enforced as the number of coronavirus patients has been increasing and the cases have been reported in different parts of the country.

However, the committee is said to have agreed to ease the lockdown impact on most essential sectors like those related with agriculture, health service and food supply management.

The country is still at risk from coronavirus, said a committee member, adding that a meeting of Council of Ministers will take a decision before the lockdown ends on Monday morning.

The committee reached the conclusion that a decision in regard to lockdown should be taken only after analyzing the state of infection rate in the neighboring countries and the international situation.

Today is the 32nd day of the nationwide lockdown announced by the government to control the spread of the virus.

The meeting concluded that the lockdown has been effective in containing the spread of the pandemic.

“Lockdown turned to be successful in lessening and controlling the risk of coronavirus. We could minimize the risk largely by the lockdown. It is still under the control despite the detection of some cases lately. We are in the right track except in the Udyapur case, there is a fewer rate of infection in other parts. Ten out of the infected ones have returned home after treatment,” said Secretary at the Office of Prime Minister and Council of Ministers Narayan Prasad Bidari.

The meeting decided to extend the suspension on domestic and international flights until May 15.

Earlier, both domestic and international flights were suspended till April 30.

Passenger evacuation flights, freighter flights, rescue flights, and other emergency flights can be operated during the period.

After finding the cases of coronavirus from the foreign returnees, the country is in lockdown since March 24. The government has extended the lockdown period four times so far.