KATHMANDU, July 5: The Baudhanath Stupa Area, which had remained shut for more than two months since the country went into a nationwide lockdown on March 24 to contain the spread of the global pandemic of novel coronavirus disease, reopened a few days ago.

However, the World Heritage Site has received very few visitors in the wake of the rising number of COVID-19 cases in the Kathmandu Valley in recent days.

Only half of the shops along the site have resumed their businesses. Movement of the local people and some foreign nationals who are stranded in Nepal due to the suspension of international flights are seen strolling along the site which, the local entrepreneurs said, is not sufficient to revive their dropped business.

When Republica photojournalist Monika Malla reached the pious Buddhist pilgrimage site on Sunday afternoon, a slightly increased movement of people was witnessed. The Stupa was being renovated, painted and decorated.

 
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