Nepal has decided to ease travel restrictions in the capital Kathmandu as the number of daily Covid-19 infections receded significantly in the past few weeks. From Tuesday, private vehicles will be allowed on an odd-even basis. Taxi and bike-sharing services have also been permitted to start their operations. 

Other restrictions will remain in place for the next seven days, reported The Himalayan Times. Nepal on Sunday reported over 1400 cases, including 450 from Kathmandu Valley. Earlier, on May 11, Nepal clocked the highest infection numbers, around 9317. 

As per the relaxed prohibitory orders, private vehicles and taxis with odd registration numbers can ply on odd dates according to the Nepali calendar, whereas vehicles with even registration numbers can ply on even dates. Private vehicles have been barred from plying since April 29 after a surge in COVID-19 cases.  

Shops for nonessential items have also been permitted to open on alternate days between 11 am to 4 pm. The ban on mass gatherings at public places, seminars, mass protests, rallies, and other functions will continue. Cinema halls, party palaces, bars, and dance restaurants, swimming pools, and gymnasiums will continue for the next week. 

Tootle and Pathao, the two popular ride-sharing services, will resume their operations from Tuesday in compliance with all health guidelines. Their operation remained suspended since 29 April when Covid-19 started to surge in Nepal. 

The urban poor in the Kathmandu Valley had been the worst affected during the recent lockdown. Unlike last year, they received little or no assistance from the government this year. 

(SAM)