KATHMANDU, June 2: Even as the COVID-19 cases are still on the rise, local administration offices in the Kathmandu Valley are preparing to relax the prohibitory orders to ease day to day life of ordinary people. Sources said the government is preparing to ease the prohibitory orders as there is just about a month left before the current fiscal year ends.  

The chief district officers of the three districts of the Kathmandu Valley on Tuesday held a meeting to discuss ways to ease the restrictions as it has already been a month since the prohibitory orders were first enforced in the Kathmandu Valley to contain further spread of COVID-19. The meeting agreed to relax the ongoing prohibitory orders in the Kathmandu Valley. 

According to Chief District Officer of Kathmandu, Kali Prasad Parajuli, discussions were also held on allowing food shops and government offices into operation starting June 5. According to him, the current prohibitory orders will be relaxed.

CDO Parajuli said that discussions were held among the CDOs as per the instructions from the home ministry to ease the restrictions. He said, "We are making some changes in the current ban in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and Population and the Ministry of Home Affairs. There are going to be some changes in the current prohibitory order," he said.

According to him, discussions have been held with the Ministry of Home Affairs about opening food shops and government offices from June 5. However, no decision will be taken to allow the operation of public transport. "We have concluded that the government offices and essential services should be allowed to operate," he said. “But the offices that draw a huge crowd of public will remain closed for now.” 

CDO Parajuli said strict measures will be taken to discourage public events such as weddings, parties and banquets.

Currently, the prohibitory orders are strictly enforced in the Kathmandu Valley. The district administration offices have been taking action against those violating the prohibitory orders. Those who come out of home without any work causing crowd and increasing the risk of COVID transmission are held by police and even fined, according to DAO, Kathmandu. 

 
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