KATHMANDU, JANUARY 18
The district administration authorities of Kathmandu, Lalitpur, and Bhaktapur have issued fresh regulatory measures barring gatherings and performing of rituals at religious sites. It has, however, allowed regular worship in the presence of priests.
Ghanashyam Adhikari, CDO of Lalitpur, said the new measures were introduced after the number of COVID-19 cases increased rapidly of late.
This rule will be applicable till February 12 or the end of the Nepali month of Magh starting today. The month of Magh is considered pious in Hindu religion and a large number of people visit various shrines and river basins to take holy dips. The monthlong Swasthani Purnima, a festival dedicated for goddess Swasthani Mata is also celebrated in this month with thousands of Hindu women and men visiting various shrines and rivers, including the Sali Nadi, a holy river at the north-eastern outskirts of Kathmandu valley.
A few days ago, the administrations of the three districts inside the valley had also ordered the closure of cinema halls and gymnasiums following the rise in COVID-19 cases. The order shall continue while other entertainment sectors such as Dohori, dance clubs, health clubs, swimming pools, futsal, carnivals and other kinds of gathering events are not allowed.
Similarly, a notice issued by authorities on January 11 have stating that no more than 25 people can gather for political, administrative and social events in public or private places shall continue.
Schools and colleges should continue teaching-learning activities through online medium, while those attending examinations, pre-fixed exams, exams related to foreign studies and foreign employment shall continue.
Authorities have been saying that the prohibitory orders are 'compulsive' measures taken in a bid to curb COV- ID-19 cases that have been surging at an alarming rate of late.
The CDOs of the three districts have also continued the mandatory 'mask-sanitiser-physical distance' measures. District authorities had taken the decision following the Cabinet's decision to implement the measures on recommendation of the COVID-19 Crisis Management Committee.
Likewise, the need to provide a proof of full vaccination will be required for individuals seeking service in public offices, hotels, restaurants, sports stadiums, airport and parks. Such units have been directed to make necessary arrangements to check proof of vaccination prior to providing them entry.
In addition to the aforementioned steps, the district health offices have been urged to coordinate with local authorities and set up free antigen testing booths in a bid to ensure effective testing across the three districts.
Public, private hospitals as well as local authorities have been asked to make necessary preparations for running COVID-19 treatment and isolation centres to ensure smooth operation when required. Public transportation safety guidelines too have been relaunched wherein service providers have been urged to maintain 'safe' number of passengers, mandatory masks, use of sanitisers, mandatory visors for drivers and co-drivers, among other measures.
A version of this article appears in the print on January 19, 2022, of The Himalayan Times.
