By TRN Online, Kathmandu, Apr. 26: Following a massive surge in COVID-19 cases of late, especially in the Kathmandu Valley, Kathmandu District Administration Office (DAO) has issued a weeklong prohibitory order starting from April 29 through May 5 restricting the opening of markets, mobility of people and vehicles, except for those related to the most essential services and goods.

Issuing an order on Monday, Kathmandu DAO informed that all services including transportation except essential services would be halted from 6:00 am on April 29 to 12:00 am on May 5.

The meeting of the Chief District Officers of Kathmandu, Bhaktapur, and Lalitpur and security officials held today took the decision to this effect.

According to the order, all shops except those with medicine and food supplies will be shut for a week. Likewise, the DAO has prohibited all kinds of assemblies, conventions, seminars, and operations of cinema halls, party palaces, swimming pools, shopping malls, other entertainment areas, saloon, beauty parlour, gym halls, libraries, museums, and zoo.

All public and private vehicles except those used for providing essential services are also prohibited.

The DAO has informed that the shops with medicine and food supplies and grocery section of departmental stores could be opened from 10 am to 5 pm.

Moreover, offices providing essential services including government offices, banks, and financial institutions will still be in operation and the officials can commute with the help of their identity cards.

The order has mentioned that up to 15 people can participate in marriages and Bratabandhas with the approval of the DAO and all health and safety standards must be followed strictly in such events.

Similarly, the order is not imposed on ambulances, and vehicles of communication, internet, quarantine, isolation, food supplies, drinking water supply, banks, financial institutions, and waste management services.