By A Staff Reporter
Kathmandu, Mar. 26: The government authorities are warning and making people alert regarding the possible threat of the second wave of COVID-19 in Nepal.
The Ministry of Health and Population (MoHP) has been continuously asking people to follow all the health protocols prescribed by the government to contain the virus. The MoHP has also warned that the government may impose lockdown if the COVID-19 cases rise.
The lockdown may be necessary to contain the chain of infection, said Dr. Sameer Adhikari, deputy spokesperson at MoHP.
The COVID-19 cases are increasing, as people are not following the COVID-19 health protocols and are not using masks and not maintaining social distance, said Dr. Adhikari.
Imposing lockdown is not the intention of the government but it may be necessary to contain the chain of transmission of virus, if the situation deteriorates, he added.
Meanwhile, issuing a press release on Wednesday, the Kathmandu District Administration Office (DAO) asked everyone to strictly follow all public health protocols and to wear masks in public, wash hands and use sanitizer, maintain social distance, noting that the risk of COVID-19 transmission is still high.
The DAO has urged people not to overcrowd public places, to limit the holi festival celebration within one’s own home and not go in public places, and celebrate as per cultural norms and tradition in a decent way.
It has also directed all entrepreneurs running night businesses to stop their activities and avoid public gatherings such as religious fairs or business fairs until further notice. 
Following a surge in COVID-19 cases in India, the Ministry of Home Affairs on Monday evening issued a circular to all the district administration offices and local governments to keep isolation and quarantine centres standby and follow all health protocols.
The circular came a day after the MoHP issued a notice asking the public to strictly follow precautionary measures and not organise gatherings and formal events.
The authorities have also warned that those who don’t follow health protocols such as wearing masks or maintaining physical distance will be punished as per the Infectious Disease Act 2020.
The DAO offices have also decided to expedite case investigation and contact tracing as deemed necessary to contain further spread of COVID-19.  The government started setting up health desks at various border points with India. It has been noticed that Nepali migrant workers have started returning after India reported a sudden spike in the cases of COVID-19.
Meanwhile, the District Administration Offices of the Kathmandu Valley have urged the people to not celebrate Holi festival in public places in view off increasing threat of COVID-19.
Issuing separate press statements on Wednesday, the DAOs of Kathmandu, Lalitpur and Bhaktapur requested the general public to not mark this year's Holi festival among the public and by organising a mass gathering in public squares. "We request everyone to not organize any kind of festival (including Holi) and fairs, and not participate in any such programme until further notice," the statement read.
The statement has also requested the general public to use face masks, hand sanitizers and maintain social distance while travelling by public vehicles.
The DAO has also warned the public to take action under Infectious Disease Control Act if anybody was found without face mask and celebrating the Holi in public places.