KATHMANDU: Administration offices in Kathmandu valley have issued orders to impose new restrictions on nearly a dozen activities, businesses and services in three districts.
The joint meeting of the chief district officers of Kathmandu, Lalitpur and Bhaktapur districts on Friday agreed to enforce restrictions on 10 activities in the valley between Friday midnight and August 31.
The decision of the administrations of three districts in the valley to strictly enforce restrictions follows a sharp spike in COVID-19 cases in the valley in recent days.
A total 119 new confirmed cases was reported in last 24 hours in the Kathmandu valley alone, according to the Ministry of Health and Population.
With the new order issued by three districts separately, there will be restrictions on 10 activities, businesses and services in Kathmandu valley.
Organizing rally or assembly, carrying out activities that cause crowds like festivals and exhibitions and religious activities except daily prayers will be banned during this period.
Businesses flouting health safety protocols, gathering for festivals and other religious and cultural performance, operation of educational institutions and operation of leisure venues like cinema hall, party palace, entertainment venues, salon, beauty parlor, spa, swimming pools, library and zoo will also be prohibited, according to the new order.
Businesses carried out on footpath, open areas and carts/bicycles and scrap collection, transportation of workers/labors against health safety protocols for running industry and business and hotel and restaurant except for takeaway service will not be allowed for next 17 days.
While most of the restrictions were already in place, the new order issued by three administration offices adds few more measures as part of local efforts to contain the COVID-19 outbreak. In their notices, the administration offices have also warned action against those who violate the restrictions imposed through the order.