Lockdown Eased in Kathmandu - Some relief to be felt

3 years ago

Lockdown Eased in Kathmandu - Some relief to be felt

A press release has been issued by the Chief District Officer of Kathmandu, Janak Raj Dahal, regarding the removal of certain restrictions of lockdown.

This is the third time that an order with an update has been issued regarding the ban issued in Nepal almost a month after it was stopped.

In the issued order, the prohibited activities have been terminated in 8 points and the activities that can be carried out in 19 points have been mentioned in detail.

Prohibited activities:

1) Gathering in open space, holding assembly, processions etc.

2) Crowding activities: such as processions, festivals, banquets, etc.

3) To conduct activities other than daily worship in religious and cultural places including temples, mosques and churches.

4) To carry out activities that are contrary to the health standards of overcrowded industries, factories, trades / occupations.

5) Gatherings for religious, cultural and social activities including festivals

6) To operate educational institutions

7) To conduct all kinds of gatherings, seminars, trainings, seminars, cinema halls, party palaces, entertainment venues, salons, beauty parlors, spas, swimming pools, gymkhana group sports and sports presentations, exhibitions, libraries, museums, zoos.

8) To carry out the work of industry, trade, business, construction, etc., against the health safety standards of the workers / workers.

Activities that can be conducted:

1) Public passenger vehicles with more than 16 seat capacity can be operated within Kathmandu district. In the case of hired taxis, up to 3 persons including the driver and up to 2 children below 5 years of age within the family can be driven. Private vehicles (including motorcycles / scooters) can be operated in a manner that complies with health standards and maintains physical distance.

When operating public transport, only one person (not more than half of the total seat capacity) should be accommodated in a row so as to maintain social distance as per the norms. Drivers, co-drivers and passengers must wear masks. Gloves must be worn and the vehicle must be disinfected daily.

Public and private vehicles operating in this way will have to be operated according to the Odd-Even system. However, this system will not be implemented in the operation of freight vehicles.

2) Shops / businesses selling and distributing medicines and health items among the essential goods or services can be operated at any time.

3) Shops selling food, milk and dairy products, fruits, vegetables, fish / meat among the essential goods or services in compliance with the health safety standards prescribed by the Government of Nepal till 11:00 am and 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm

4) The shops / businesses selling and distributing materials related to development and construction within the Kathmandu Valley and the vehicles used for their transportation can be opened from 2:00 pm to 7:00 pm in the Kathmandu Valley by complying with the standards related to health safety prescribed by the Government of Nepal.

5) Take away service as well as online delivery service can be operated from 12:00 noon to 7:00 pm by following the health standards.

6) Cooperatives can be operated from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm by adopting health related standards.

7) Shopping malls, fancy stores, clothing shops, shoe shops, cosmetic shops and other shops will be allowed to open only on Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays of the week following the health related standards.

8) Kitchenware and other shops of the same nature can be opened only on Sunday, Tuesday and Friday of the week.

9) Furniture and automobile related shops can be opened only on Mondays and Wednesdays in a week.

10) Footpath shops, carts, stationery shops, electric and electronics shops and department stores will be open till 11:00 am and 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm.

11) Workshop on vehicle maintenance can be conducted from 8:00 am to 8:00 pm but health related standards must be followed.

12. In order to provide food and accommodation to the workers while operating the industries and factories, it is mandatory to keep them in the camps in the industrial premises and make them follow the public health safety standards. Also, the required PPE Set and other health related industries / factories will have to manage it themselves.

13) To conduct online classes as per the protocol of the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology.

14) Services similar to the services mentioned above may be operated at the specified time.

15. Air travel will be facilitated for those going abroad.

16. People undergoing swab tests must stay in the home quarantine until the report is received. People in contact tracing will also be required to stay in the home quarantine until the swab test report is received.

The local level ward office will have to monitor the home quarantine. Violators of this provision will be prosecuted under the Infectious Diseases Act, 2020.

17. The concerned regulatory body shall regularly monitor whether the services to be operated are in accordance with the health standards and submit a report to the concerned body and district administration office.

18. While operating the above mentioned services, the health related standards prescribed by the Government of Nepal, Ministry of Health and Population shall be fully complied with.

If it is found that this order has been violated or violated the approved criteria, action will be taken as per the Local Administration Act, 2028 and Infectious Diseases Act, 2020.

19.The services and works that can be operated as per the order issued earlier can be operated properly.