Nepal government on April 26th, announced another lockdown of Kathmandu, Bhaktapur and Lalitpur as number of COVID-19 cases soars.
What are key takeaways from Nepal’s new lockdown?
- The new 15 day lockdown starts from 6 am on Thursday (April 29th).
- Everyone entering Kathmandu will have to go into mandatory quarantine.
- All non-essential shops except for pharmacies and grocery stores will not be allowed to operate.
- The grocery stores are allowed to open from 6 am till 10 am and 5pm till 7pm. Similarly banks, pharmacies, and other essential services are allowed to open from 10am till 5pm.
- Non-essential businesses, including restaurants and bars, cinemas, party venues, shopping centers beauty salons, gyms, zoos, swimming pools, libraries, museums, sports venues will have to shut down.
- Public and private vehicles are not allowed on the road except for Ambulances and vehicles used for essential services. Govt. vehicles are allowed with proper passes issued.
- Weddings and other ritual ceremonies will be allowed to go ahead with not more than 15 people.
- Employees of Government offices, banks, and other essential services are allowed to work with valid IDs.
- Journalists are also allowed with proper IDs issued by Department of Information.
- Those who are traveling by plane will be allowed to go to the airport provided they have passports, visas, and tickets.
- Foreigners requiring visa-related services should consult the Nepal Department of Immigration for information. https://www.immigration.gov.np/
As of this writing, according to Ministry of Health & Population, 4364 new cases have been reported in the last 24 hours with 555 recovery, and 18 deaths. Total number of cases has reached to 307,925 with 262,755 active cases and 3194 deaths.
