KATHMANDU, AUGUST 5
With the rise in spread of Covid-19 in Kathmandu valley, the prohibitory orders enforced here has been further extended till August 11.
Authorities have time and again issued cautionary statements, appealing all to avoid gathering in the public and to follow necessary safety measures, while it has also warned that strict action will be taken against those that are found flouting Covid-19 safety protocol.
Meanwhile, officials have also directed the hospitals to remain alert and update their infrastructures including oxygen and beds allocated to the Covid-19 patients fearing the possibility of a third wave of coronavirus pandemic in the country.
In this context, Kathmandu District Administration has detailed the dos and don'ts for the knowledge of all denizens to adhere to during the regulatory period.
According to Kathmandu DAO's recent notice, it has prohibited some activities and businesses while allowed operation of some albeit with some restrictions:
Prohibited activities and businesses
- All types of meetings, conventions, party palaces, cinema halls, restaurants, dance bars, Dohori, Naachghar, clubs, swimming pools, entertainment venues, museums, games in stadiums with audiences and all programs that lead to overcrowding.
- Mass gathering of people in public places, crowding, rallies, protests, jatras, festivals, parties, religious activities except for daily regular prayer, have been disallowed.
-Physical presence in classes at educational institutions including schools, colleges, tuition centres, coaching centres and training centres will be restricted.
- Local transportations have been prohibited to operate from 11 am to 4 pm and 8 pm to 9 am the next day.
Permitted activities and businesses
- All pharmacy and health equipment related shops without any restrictions.
- Other businesses are allowed to operate until 7 pm only while following health protocol including maintaining at least 2 metres of physical distancing, usage of sanitisers and other safety protocols. If any entity is found flouting this rule, the said shop could be closed immediately.
- Home delivery of emergency products, online food delivery, take away and other online orders are also allowed till 7 pm in Kathmandu valley
Regarding movement in public and public transportation
- It is required for people to maintain a physical distance of at least two meters while going out, compulsory use of mask and frequent use of sanitisers or washing hands.
- Public vehicles plying inside Kathmandu valley should only ferry passengers according to the allowed seat numbers.
- All passengers should wear masks, those without masks to be disallowed entry into the vehicles.
- Driver and assistant should always use masks, visor and gloves.
- Provision of sanitisers in the door of the vehicles.
- Compulsory sanitisation of vehicles every day.
- Safa tempo and blue micros are allowed to ferry 4/4 passengers in both rows and one passenger beside the driver in addition to the aforementioned protocol. They are also mandated to separate two rows with plastic sheets.
- Transportation of construction materials is allowed from 9 pm to 5 am.
- All vehicles should follow health protocol
Regarding exams
- For the exams being conducted by various agencies, there should be no more than 25 examinees in one room/hall.
- Maintain physical distancing among the examinees before and after the exam.
- Examinees of the next shift of exam should be allowed entry to the centre only after all examinees previous shift have exited the exam centres.
- All public health-related protocols should be followed including the compulsory use of masks and sanitisers.
In addition to the points above, it has been urged that all training, meetings, seminars, conventions should be organised through virtual mediums.
Furthermore, those included in the contact tracing of the Covid-19 patient have been asked to come in contact with the local levels and hospitals for Antigen and PCR testing.
