6 May 2020, Kathmandu
The Government of Nepal on Wednesday extended the ongoing nationwide lockdown until May 18 to combat the spread of the coronavirus pandemic.
As several countries globally plunge into lockdowns to tackle the spread of the virus, Nepal, too, followed-suit.
A meeting of the cabinet held at Prime Minister’s official residence, Baluwatar on Wednesday decided to extend the lockdown for 11 days, government Spokesperson Dr Yubaraj Khatiwada said.
It should be noted that a task force under the High-Level Coordination Committee on the Prevention and Containment of COVID-19 had on Tuesday recommended the government to extend the current lockdown.
The government had earlier announced a nationwide lockdown on March 24 in an effort to prevent the coronavirus from spreading.
Nepal has, so far, 82 confirmed cases, and 22 patients have been discharged after recovery as of May 6.
Nepal’s busy market places have remained desolate, shops are closed, borders closed, and people are asked to remain indoors.
Lockdown restrictions in the country will continue as it tackles the coronavirus outbreak, according to Wednesday’s cabinet decision.
The government has reached the conclusion that lockdown should be strictly enforced as the number of novel coronavirus patients has been increasing and the cases have been reported in several parts of the country.
The government had first enforced the lockdown on March 24 for a week after the second coronavirus case was reported in Nepal.
The first lockdown had been extended until March 31, the second one was extended until April 7, the third until April 15, the fourth until April 27, the fifth one until May 7, and fifth one expiring on May 18.
This is the sixth time that the government has extended the lockdown period so far.
