Government Imposes Week-long Lockdown Across the Nation

March 24, 2020: The government has imposed a lockdown for a week starting from Tuesday morning (March 24) to contain the spread of coronavirus after a new case was detected in the country. The lockdown will remain in effect from 6 am on March 24 till March 31.

On Monday, the government confirmed the second case of coronavirus in the country. According to Health Minister Bhanubhakta Dhakal, a 19-year-old Nepali student who returned home from France last week tested positive for the deadly disease a day ago.

Among other measures, the cabinet meeting also decided to close the country’s international borders with India and China for a week.

The government has ordered the people not to venture out of their houses unless absolutely necessary. The government order however doesn’t bar people from purchasing essential goods like food and medicines. All private and public vehicles have been banned except for the ones belonging to security forces and health workers.

The government has ordered the closure of all institutions except those that provide essential services including security agencies, food supplies, drinking water, milk, electricity, information and communication, customs, quarantine, waste management among others.

All domestic flights have also been suspended for a week. The government has instructed the owners of private institutions to provide leave for workers. 

Anyone defying the government orders will be punished in accordance to the Infectious Disease Act 2020. The government has issued a circular to all the district administration offices to enforce its decision and to maintain law and order under the Local Governance Act 2028, if required.