Prohibitory order in Valley extended by one week

KATHMANDU: The prohibitory order enforced in Kathmandu Valley to curb coronavirus contagion has been extended by one more week.

A joint meeting of Chief District Officers (CDOs) of Kathmandu, Lalitpur, and Bhaktapur on Tuesday decided to extend the prohibitory order for a week with even stricter measures in line with the Covid-19 Crisis Management Ordinance. The previous order was expiring Thursday.

As per the new agreement reached Tuesday, previously allowed to operate retail shops and departmental stores will be shut this time around. Only groceries will operate until 9 am and only 7 persons can assemble in a marriage.

Likewise, restriction on vehicular mobility has increased. Vehicles of government offices, internet service providers, public organizations will be allowed to ply roads from 9-10 am to 5-6 pm. All vehicle permits issued earlier have been declared void. All construction works are also to be completely halted for a week.

Though a prohibitory order is in place in the Valley since last month, the city has not felt a respite with cases in the Valley averaging 2,500 and in the country averaging 8,000 for the past two weeks.

People flouting COVID-19 safety measures and the prohibitory order are subject to penalty as per Covid-19 Ordinance. Lockdown violaters can be jailed for a year or fined up to Rs 500,000 or both.