Nepal loosens lockdown: Here's a list of what will operate, what will not

KATHMANDU: The Government of Nepal, which had decreed a nationwide lockdown on March 24 which was extended for some eighty days, has now revised the modality of the same. Some of the restrictive measures will be eased following the recent cabinet decision.

Restriction on operation of many activities that had affected the lives of many in the country, and in turn, the economy, have now been lifted. However, some services will still have to wait a litter longer for their turn to resume operations.

Three phases have been designated for resumption of all services, wherein most activities in the first phase will come into effect from June 15.

Public spaces that usually host a thick gathering of people and public transportation services will remain suspended for now, in the first phase. There have been a few additions to the list of already operational essential services. Likewise, private vehicles will ply based on odd-even rule while pedestrians will now be allowed to move around.

Here's a list of the services that will now resume/continue operations in the first phase

  • All health-care services
  • All agricultural, livestock related activities
  • Manufacturing Industries
  • Construction works
  • Waste Management
  • Banks and Financial Institutions, Cooperatives, Insurance companies
  • Development Projects
  • Transportation and sale of essential services such as medicine, food, fruits and vegetables, dairy, poultry, water, beverages, petroleum products
  • Fire Brigade, Ambulance
  • Electricity, Information and Communication, Postal Services
  • Excavation
  • Take away food services from restaurants
  • Hotels providing quarantine services, and transportation for the same
  • Workshops (electric, machinery, vehicles)
  • Stationery
  • Forestry and Nursery related activities
  • Private vehicles (odd-even rule) and pedestrian movement
  • All government offices, educational institutes' offices/administration, private offices will resume work on June 15, although in two shifts and with 50 per cent staff in attendance
  • Transportation of labour workers, with one passenger in one file

Safety measures and protocols will have to be strictly adhered to in course of conducting operations of the above-mentioned activities

The services that will remain suspended for now

  • Schools, colleges, tuition and training centres
  • Departmental stores (other than grocery items), malls, cinema halls, party palaces and other recreational centres
  • Cross border movement except from designated entry points
  • Domestic and International flights except for special operations
  • Public gatherings such as fairs, conferences, exhibitions, etc.
  • Seminars, meetings exceeding 25 people
  • Places of religious gatherings
  • Transportation services and vehicles other than the ones allowed in phase 1
  • Sporting activities, performances
  • Health clubs, swimming pools, gym, salon and beauty parlors

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