Prohibitory order eased in Kathmandu valley

The administration in Kathmandu valley has relaxed some provisions of the prohibitory order that has been enforced for a long time to contain the second wave of coronavirus. It has allowed the operation of private vehicles albeit on an odd-even registration number basis and more shops have been allowed to open but based on certain days.

A joint meeting of the chief district officers of Kathmandu, Lalitpur and Bhaktpur had on Sunday taken the decision to continue with the prohibitory order in the valley but by easing some restrictions.

Kali Prasad Parajuli, Chief District Officer of Kathmandu, informed that the prohibitory order had been eased to give some momentum to the economy which has been massively hit due to the order. The latest order is effective from today till midnight of June 28.

Meanwhile, the administration has stated that private light vehicles will be allowed to carry only four people. Similarly, taxis will be permitted to carry only three passengers. 

The recent order has also allowed department stores, shopping malls, and shops selling sports goods, clothing items and fancy goods to open from 11 am to 4 pm but only on Monday, Wednesday and Friday.

Meanwhile, jewellery stores, and shops selling utensils, electrical goods and auto parts have also been permitted to open. Likewise, automobile showrooms have also been allowed to open. However, such stores and shops will be allowed to open only on Sunday, Tuesday, and Thursday from 11:00 am to 4:00 pm.

The administration has allowed shops selling hardware products, sanitary goods, furniture, and carpets to open every day from 11:00 am till 6:00 pm. Transportation of heavy goods like construction materials will be allowed only during the night.

Shops selling food items and those selling stationery items and goods needed for religious purposes will be allowed to open every day till 11 am.

Online and take-away services, as well as automobile repair shops, have been allowed to resume their services every day till 7:00 pm.

Marriage functions and other cultural ceremonies can be performed at home but with only 10 people and by maintaining all health safety measures. For marriage functions only two vehicles will be allowed.

Educational institutions have still been barred from running physical classes.

The transportation of vegetables, fruits, dairy products, poultry, poultry feed, fuel, gas, sanitary goods, printing materials, and agricultural inputs can be operated from 8 am till 11 am. However, such vehicles must have a banner affixed at the front stating the purpose of transportation.

Meanwhile, people who are preparing to go abroad will be allowed to enter the valley based on their respective plane ticket, passport, and visa.

Banks and financial institutions, the security board, insurance firms, remittance companies, cooperatives, and NGOs will be allowed to open their offices but with the minimum number of human resources possible.