KATHMANDU: The District Administration Offices (DAOs) are to decide to continue the prohibitory order in Kathmandu Valley from June 15 after the current order expires on June 14. However, with slight changes to the modality.
The Ministry of Health and Population (MoHP) warned that removing restrictions would be fatal now as the infection rate is 29-30 percent.
Chief District Officers (CDOs) of all the three districts of Kathmandu Valley are to hold a meeting on Sunday. The CDOs’ meeting will decide to continue the prohibitory order by changing modality from June 15.
The MoHP has been taking a stand of not easing mobility unless the infection rate falls below 10%. It also sensed the need to lock down if the global infection rate crosses 10%.
Private vehicles will be allowed to operate by imposing odd and even rule from June 15, but people will have to fully comply with health-related protocols. It is said that new rules will be issued to open market shops as business activities have been closed for a long time. Shops selling essential items including food will be allowed to open for longer hours and other shops will be allowed to open for a certain period of time.
Homework is underway to determine opening hours for stationery, cosmetics and fancy shops.
Shops selling less used items will be allowed to operate on limited days in the week.
Although the transmission chain is expected to break within two weeks of the prohibition, the infection rate is still high in the country due to community spread of the virus from social functions and mass gatherings. The same had forced the administration to impose the ban since April 29.
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