Majority of services to resume with lifting of lockdown; Mass gathering, feast, party, seminar will not be allowed

The government has decided to resume the majority of the services by officially putting an end to the lockdown from this midnight. The lockdown to check the flow of the Corona Virus was in effect since March 24.

The Monday meeting of the Council of Ministers decided to resume national and international flights, and long-route passenger transportation service from coming August 17, according to government spokesperson Dr. Yubaraj Khatiwada. Likewise, training and qualifying games for international sporting events will also resume.

Hotel, restaurants, travel, and trekking, as well as mountaineering activities, will resume from July 30. However, Mass gathering, feast, party, seminar, however, will not be allowed.

Spokesperson Dr. Khatiwada said that student enrollment and examinations could be conducted from August 17.

But, running schools, colleges, tuition centers, training centers, all types of gatherings, training, seminars, exhibition fairs, cinema halls, parties, banquets, dance bars, and entertainment sectors would not be opened until further notice.

However, the government could take any decision prior to August 17 over such issues by considering the impact and level of infection of the pandemic coronavirus, Dr. Khatiwada added.

According to him, salon, beauty parlor, swimming pools, gymnasiums, religious and public places, libraries, museums, and zoos should not be operated until the next notice.
Likewise, the physical distancing of at least two meters should be maintained in the areas that are in operation.

Minister Dr. Khatiwada reiterated the government's commitment to punishing those involved in black marketeering and stockpiling.

Similarly, both domestic and international flights would resume from August 17. The essential service and supplies will, however, continue uninterrupted, informed Minister Khatiwada. Also, those people seeking to return home due to special or difficult circumstances shall be allowed entry to Nepal from certain entry points.

Furthermore, the government offices being run in two shifts (from 8 am to 1 pm and 1 pm to 5 pm) after the lockdown was eased and shall operate from 10 am to 5 pm now onwards. The government has also decided to lift the odd-even number plate system imposed in vehicles with effect from today midnight.