KATHMANDU, May 5: The high-level government committee formed to prevent and contain the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has recommended to the government to continue the ongoing lockdown.

A meeting of the committee held at the Prime Minister's Official Residence in Baluwatar concluded that the lockdown needs to be extended keeping in mind the rising COVID-19 cases. The meeting was presided over by Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli. 

"We have recommended to the government to extend the ongoing lockdown. The Cabinet will take a decision on the extension of the lockdown possibly tomorrow," Narayan Prasad Bidari, secretary at the Prime Minister's Office, who is also a member of the coronavirus prevention and control committee, told reporters Tuesday evening. However, he did not share how many days the lockdown will be continued for.

A Cabinet meeting to be held on Wednesday is expected to extend the lockdown at least for another week, according to sources privy to the development. The nationwide lockdown that was first enforced on March 24 is coming to an end on Thursday, May 7. As of today, the country has 82 COVID-19 cases with 16 recoveries.

Today's high-level committee meeting also decided to make all efforts to stop the spread of coronavirus. "We discussed the measures currently being enforced to stem the novel coronavirus and expressed satisfaction over what has been done so far toward this end. It is for sure that the lockdown will be extended so that we could keep our people safe," said Secretary Bidari.

 
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