ARGHAKHANCHHI: Sandhikharka Municipality in the district has closed down services for five days after 16 employees including Mayor got contracted with coronavirus.

The municipality office stopped service delivery except for essential ones when Mayor Kamal Prasad Bhusal and a dozen of employees confirmed positive for coronavirus, according to chief executive officer, Narayan Aryal. Amidst this rapid spread of coronavirus, the municipality’s health section conducted antigen tests among 57 persons on Monday.

Out of 17 employees at municipality, 15 were found infected, said health section chief, Purna Prasad Parajuli.

The municipality issued a notice informing people about the closure of municipality office citing the spread of coronavirus.

Chief administrative officer Aryal further said the municipality dwellers were urged to adopt safety protocol and stay alert in view of the rising cases of coronavirus along with new variant, omicron.