DAOs take stock of situation for allowing physical classes amid pandemic

The entertainment segment including nightclubs and cinema halls in Kathmandu valley has been allowed to operate as smart lockdown have been continued. However, educational institutions including schools and colleges have still been running virtual classes.

According to Kathmandu's Chief District Officer (CDO) Kali Prasad Parajuli, the three District Administration Offices have been consulting with the COVID-19 Crisis Management Centre (CCMC) on whether to allow the educational institutions to run physical classes. Talking to NepalNews, CDO Parajuli said that various authorities concerned were free to independently decide on the modality of operating their businesses. "In a 'smart lockdown', each local level can independently and responsibly decide on its own modality," he said and added, "For instance, we have given authority to the committee of the temples to decide on the management of temples and conducting daily affairs maintaining health safety measures." "There is nothing confusing about allowing the operation of nightclubs, we have allowed the entertainment sector to operate businesses, and at the same time we have also been monitoring whether the health protocols are being strictly adopted in such places," the CDO said. He expressed his confidence that health safety measures were being taken at those places.

Moreover, CDO Parajuli said, "There is a risk of the third wave of COVID-19. But we are not sure whether it would occur. So it is better to prevent the situation. However, it has to be understood that we cannot always keep all the businesses closed forever," and added, "District COVID-19 Crisis Management Centre (DCCMC) have been accorded with the responsibility of deciding on running schools.

The prohibitory order issued as per the decision of the Council of Ministers, Section 4 of COVID-19 Crisis Management Ordinance, 2078, and Sub-section 3 of Section 6 of Local Administration Act, 2028 will last on September 16.

Along with the nightclubs and cinema halls, recreational places including gym, sports, beauty parlour, salons have also been allowed to operate.

CDO Parajuli said, "We have imposed a ‘smart lockdown’ by maintaining the safety parameters and easing the production and supply of essential goods. The current lockdown is flexible. It can be intensified or eased depending on the situation. The provisions made in this prohibitory order can be revised anytime if the COVID-19 infection increases."

The security agencies have been engaged to conduct regular and emergency monitoring to ensure the implementation of the prohibitory order. During the monitoring, if anybody is found disobeying the prohibitory order will be punished as per COVID-19 Risk Management Ordinance, 2078.