KATHMANDU: The government is mulling to further extend the current nationwide lockdown for a week.

The lockdown, which was supposed to end on Tuesday, is likely to be extended till April 7, sources have said, adding that the government might announce it anytime soon as the number of coronavirus infected people in the country is increasing.

A meeting of the cabinet today is likely to make the decision to this effect.

It should be noted that the government has instructed all the Chief District Officers to enforce the lockdown effectively.

However, another source said it is also likely that the current lockdown, which is expiring on March 31 can be extended to match it with the lockdown enforced by India.

“Authorities are discussing the seriousness of the situation,” the source said.

Prior to the cabinet meeting, a meeting of the high-level coordination committee on the prevention and containment of COVID-19 has been scheduled to suggest the government whether or not to extend the lockdown by a week.

The week-long lockdown enforced by the government is ending at 6 am on Tuesday.

Likewise, the government is also likely to announced what it calls a ‘special relief package’ for people affected owing to the coronavirus pandemic.