KATHMANDU: Nepal's capital Kathmandu and two surrounding districts have extended the coronavirus prohibitory period -- which was set to end on July 15 -- by another 10 days as the authorities continue to view Kathmandu Valley as a high risk zone for virus transmission, according to a media report on Friday.
In a joint statement, the district administration offices of Kathmandu, Lalitpur and Bhaktapur said the prohibitory period will be extended till July 25, The Himalayan Times reported.
The Kathmandu valley has been under prohibitory orders since April 29 when a devastating wave of COVID-19 was sweeping across the country.
Though the present daily virus cases are fewer than April and May, officials said Kathmandu Valley cannot be opened up now as it is the hub of economic activity and the risk of virus transmission is high.
In the latest prohibitory period, there is a ban on operating entertainment-related businesses, conducting public demonstrations, 'jatras', festivities, and running educational institutions, The Himalayan Times reported.
Goods trucks will be allowed to operate from 9 am to 11 am and from 4 pm to 7 pm.
Online food and goods delivery will be allowed till 7 pm.
Meanwhile, Nepal reported 2,006 new coronavirus cases and 43 related deaths in the last 24 hours, taking the country's virus caseload and death toll to 664,576 and 9,506 respectively, the report said on Friday.