23 March 2020, Kathmandu
With a new case of coronavirus confirmed in Nepal, the government has announced more strict measures to combat an outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic that will be enforced throughout the country for one week starting on Tuesday.
A meeting of COVID-19 Prevention and Control Coordination Committee led by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defense held on Monday decided not to let people come out of homes except in case of emergency, stop all public and private transportation.
However, vehicles transporting only foods and essential goods will be allowed to operate.
Likewise, the meeting decided to suspend all domestic commercial flights, government Spokesperson Yuvaraj Khatiwada said during a press conference.
Similarly, all the government offices except those delivering essential services will be closed.
The restrictions will come into effect from 6 am on Tuesday till 6 am on March 31.
With the decision, Nepal has entered a complete lockdown.
Earlier, the government had announced the closure of all international flights, halting of long-route public transportation and closure of all services except essential.
Earlier today, a Nepali girl arriving in Nepal from France via Qatar transit had tested positive for coronavirus.
The coronavirus infection was confirmed for the first time in Nepal by the Ministry of Health and Population in a press meet organized on Monday.
Organizing a press meet at the Ministry, Minister for Health and Population Bhanu Bhakta Dhakal had said that a 19-year-old girl has tested positive for coronavirus.
Her swab screening result came out yesterday.
