Kathmandu goes to smart lockdown as Covid – 19 cases surge

As corona infection cases continued to surge over the past one week Nepal on Tuesday confirmed 2,444 new cases of COVID-19 along with 313 recoveries and one death, according to the latest information furnished by the Ministry of Health and Population.

There are currently 9,634 active cases of COVID-19 across the country. So far, 11,607 people have died of the viral infection across the country. In the past 24 hours, the Kathmandu Valley alone recorded 1,286 cases of the virus.

With the instruction of the Home Ministry local authorities of Kathmandu valley have imposed smart lockdown in the valley without directly affecting public movement and economic activities.

The authorities have banned gathering of more than 25 people in public places to prevent and control the growing coronavirus infection in the Valley. The decision was taken by a meeting of the chief district officers of all the three districts in the Kathmandu Valley Tuesday afternoon, according to officials.

On Monday, the home ministry wrote a letter to the district administration offices, instructing them to implement a rule that would not allow more than 25 people to gather in public places. Similarly, the district administration offices in the Valley were instructed to stop any gathering, procession and other crowded activities. Similarly, schools will be closed till January 29 under the smart lockdown procedures.

The COVID-19 Crisis Management Center on Sunday recommended carrying vaccination cards mandatory for anyone entering offices, hotels, restaurants, cinema halls, stadium, parks and airports. The Home Ministry on Monday approved the decision.