Prohibitory order in Valley extended till Sept 2

KATHMANDU: The three chief district officers of Kathmandu, Bhaktapur and Lalitpur have decided to add another week of prohibitory order in the valley after discussions with the security chiefs of Kathmandu valley, mayors of the municipalities and officials of the public health offices.

Earlier, the prohibitory order, which started at midnight on August 19, was coming to an end on Wednesday.
Narayan Prasad Bhatta, chief district officer of Lalitpur, said that a decision has been taken to extend the prohibitory order till September 2 as the coronavirus infection rate has been steadily rising within the valley.

A meeting of the Kathmandu Valley Municipal Forum held on Monday concluded that the COVID-19 infection rate had increased and decided to recommend the administration to extend the order for at least another one week. A discussion between the District COVID-19 Crisis Management Center (DCCMC) and the mayors of Kathmandu on Tuesday also suggested prolonging the prohibitory order in the valley.

During this period people will not be allowed to go out of their homes except on emergency purposes which include purchase of medicines, food items and essential items. It is also mandatory for people to wear a mask when they are going out.

The valley administration has banned all activities except transportation of essential goods, health workers and security forces. Employees who have to go to their offices to provide essential regular services will be allowed to travel to their offices in between 9am and 10:30am and return home between 3pm and 5:30pm.

Hotels, restaurants and shops that do not sell essential goods will remain closed. However, banks will be allowed to open a limited number of branches to provide services by keeping the minimum number of employees and following the government set health standards and security measures.