Over a dozen districts issue prohibitory order

The three districts of Kathmandu valley among various districts have issued a prohibitory order that has come into effect from Thursday morning. The prohibitory order has been issued to break the chain of transmission of novel coronavirus infection. 

There were more than 500 people infected with coronavirus in 12 districts as of Wednesday while 10 other districts have more than 200 people infected with the virus, data released by the Ministry of Health and Population shows.

The district administration offices (DAOs) of Kathmandu valley and Parsa had issued a week-long prohibitory order to come into effect from Thursday morning on April 29. However, the meeting of the Council of Ministers held on Monday decided to extend the prohibitory order by at least a week in the valley.

The prohibitory order issued by DAOs came into effect from April 25 in Banke and April 28 in Kaski.

According to Nepal Police, the prohibitory order has been issued at all local levels in 10 districts while three other districts have partly imposed restrictions. 

How are police enforcing prohibitory order?

According to Central Police Spokesperson and Information Officer for Nepal Police, Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Basanta Bahadur Kunwar, police have been using public address system and other audiovisual media to raise awareness about the coronavirus infection. "This is also a part of implementing the prohibitory order," SSP Kunwar said. Police have also urged citizens to follow the order and help them in the drive to prevent the transmission of the coronavirus pandemic.

At least 4,500 personnel of Nepal Police are being mobilised to enforce the prohibitory order in Kathmandu district from today

Police personnel will be working in three shifts with 1,500 personnel working in each shift.

Punishment in violation of prohibitory order:

The prohibitory order has been issued as per Section 2 of the Communicable Disease Act, 2020 and Sub-section 3 of Section 6 of Local Administration Act, 2028.

A person who violates this Act or disregards any order issued under this Act shall be liable to punishment of imprisonment for a term not exceeding one month or a fine not exceeding Rs 100 or with both. Likewise, a person who obstructs a person authorised under this Act with the performance of his/her duties shall be liable to punishment of imprisonment for a term not exceeding six months or a fine not exceeding Rs 600 or with both.

As per the Local Administration Act, 2028, a person who violates this Act or disregards any order issued under this Act shall be liable to punishment of imprisonment for a term not exceeding one month or a fine not exceeding Rs 500 or the chief district officer (CDO) can charge the offender with both.