JHAPA: Ten local levels in the district have reported that they were at high risk of COVID-19.

The local levels of Mechinagar, Haldibari, Buddhashanti, Kankai, Kamala, Damak, Gauradaha, Shivasatakshi, Arjundhara and Birtamod have resorted to restrictions to contain the spread of coronavirus.

Among 15 local levels, the people’s representatives of Bhadrapur, Gaurigunj, Bahradashi, Jhapa and Kachankabal are also mulling the prohibitory order.

Chief District Officer Shravan Kumar Timsina said, “The local levels could decide the prohibitory order on their own as the coronavirus was surging.”

He further informed that district COVID-19 management committee had given consent for the restriction. “General public, entrepreneurs and professionals have been appealed to follow the restriction order and health protocol,” he reminded.

During the prohibitory order in place, all means of transportation except the ones used for essential services, are disallowed. Birtamod Municipality Mayor Dhruba Shivakoti informed that people were requested not to leave home except in case of essential needs.

Similarly, transport and market places were also closed. The cases of coronavirus have increased gradually in the district for two weeks. However, the crowds at market places and government offices are commonplace.

With the prohibitory order in place, there are no vehicles on the roads inside the local levels. Only the highways are operational. Similarly, Deputy Mayor of Mechi Municipality, Meena Uprety, said the people were made aware via various media to maintain safety by following health protocol.

She expressed worry why the people were being careless- at least to use mask in public. It was Buddhashanti Rural Municipality to announce first in the district that it was sealed off owing to increasing threat of coronavirus.