By A Staff Reporter
Kathmandu, Aug. 18: Local bodies in various states have imposed restrictions on public movements observing the increasing risk of COVID-19 infections in the community of the respective states.
Applying the provision of ‘Infectious Disease Act 2020’ and the rights provided to the local governments, most of the local levels in State 2, Karnali and Bagmati State have announced lockdown in their areas.
Offices, business firms, banks, hotels and other public places are closed after the announcement of lockdown. Public transportation and market places have been shut down.
Only the shops of essential goods are allowed to provide their services to the people in limited hours. Only the vehicles of security personnel, media persons, hospitals and others who have authentic vehicles pass are allowed to ply on the road.
Local authorities said that the restriction was essential because it was the best precaution to keep people safe from the widely spread COVID-19 pandemic.
Our Sindhupalchowk correspondent Chitra Mijar said that Barhabise and other local bodies in the district had announced lockdown to protect the community from the COVID-19 pandemic.
After they found that the virus reached the local community, the lockdown was announced for an indefinite period.
Similarly, Netra Shahi from Jumla reported that the local government had announced lockdown for an indefinite time in Jumla. Chief District Officer Bhupendra Thapa had announced the restriction on public movements. “Market places, industries and offices are closed for indefinite time here,” he said. Famous local religious fair was also restricted due to the pandemic this year.
Likewise, our correspondent Siraj Khan from Banke said that Kohalpur and Janaki municipalities had announced lockdown for two weeks to minimise the risk of COVID-19 on its community.
Our Correspondent from Lahan in State 2 informed that the municipality and other local bodies had imposed restrictions on gathering and public movements in Lahan and its surroundings to protect the community from virus infections.