Govt to ease lockdown from June 15: What are the new provisions ?

11 June , Kathmandu : The cabinet meeting on June 10 has decided to consider easing the lockdown order in effect in the country since March 24 to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
Considering the impact of lockdown on the people’s lives and country’s economy, the government decided to relax the stay-at-home in phases, said Spokesperson of the government Dr Yubaraj Khatiwada in a press meet today.

The new modality of lockdown will be in effect since June 15 according to which shops and private vehicles will be allowed to operate adopting precautions against the deadly infection. The even-odds number system will be applied for the private vehicles to ply the roads in and outside of the Kathmandu Valley.

Essential supplies and services such as Fire Brigade, ambulances, media and waste management among others will continue in the new modality as in the lockdown period, according to Minister Khatiwada who also helms Ministry of Finance.

“Public transportation as well as places that receive a huge mass such as shopping centres, cinema halls and party palace among others will not resume for the time being,” the Minister said.

All the health related institutions, services, agriculture and livestock enterprises, all types of transportation services could, however, will operate from today. Similarly, construction works and developments projects have been shown green signal for the resumption in the first phase. Restaurants could provide take-way or packing facilities.

The designated hotels to be quarantined and vehicles to be used for COVID-19 causes will also come into operation provided appropriate safety measures were taken such as use of sanitizers, masks and gloves and the like. Social-distancing should be compulsorily observed as the lockdown will be eased and economic activities resume.

Bank and financial institutions, insurance and cooperatives services, governmental and non-governmental organizations and offices of educational institutions will be open from June 15 but these offices should run in two shifts to avoid mass gathering.

The lockdown will be eased in those areas considered to be of low-risk. Lockdown will be implemented for those places receiving large footfalls such as educational institutions, domestic and internal flights (except for those granted permission), big seminars and workshops, commercially run swimming pool, zoo, public library and beauty parlour among others.

Likewise cross border entry except for designated entry points have been barred. Lockdown will be not relaxed for playgrounds for public sports activities as well as religious and public places.