KATHMANDU: The prohibitory order issued in Kathmandu Valley has been extended by one week till June 25 by easing the previous restrictions.

A meeting of Chief District Officers (CDOs) of Kathmandu, Bhaktapur and Lalitpur Sunday decided to extend the prohibitory period by allowing private vehicles to run following odd-even rule, said Kathmandu Chief District Officer Kali Prasad Parajuli.

Vehicles having odd number plates will ply on odd days of the week such as Sunday, Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday while even number plate vehicles on the rest of the days. Even taxis could operate sticking to the odd-even rule from Monday. However, restrictions on public vehicles remain.

The CDOs also decided on restoring economic activities by allowing wider areas to operate on specified days as the Covid19 cases are on the decline. However, the CDOs warned that the situation still demanded caution and urged Kathmanduites to strictly follow health guidelines while going about their businesses to avert another surge of cases.

According to Kathmandu Assistant Chief District Officer Umakanta Adhikari, shops selling gold, silver, utensils, electrical goods and household items shall operate on Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday. Similarly, automobile and spare parts shops will also open these days.

Relaxing the curb further, it has been decided to allow opening shopping malls, sports goods shops, clothing stores and shoe shops on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Fancy, cosmetic, gift and tailoring shops will also open on the same day.

The specified shops will run from 11 am to 4 am.

The prohibitory order has been imposed in the Valley since April 29.