Authorities in Nepal have decided to reimpose restrictions, including banning all private and public vehicles after 8 PM, as the Covid-19 cases rise again. On Monday, the country reported over 3600 cases and passed the grim milestone of the 10,000 deaths last week.

The new restrictions, which will come into effect from Thursday, are only for the Kathmandu area, comprising three districts, media reports say.

“We have extended the ongoing prohibitory orders for another 12 days starting Thursday until August 24,” Kali Prasad Parajuli, the chief district officer of Kathmandu, was quoted as saying by The Kathmandu Post.

“Public and private vehicles won’t be allowed to ply after 8 pm starting Thursday unless there is an emergency situation,” he added. The restrictions are to discourage people from partying and eating out, a trend, he said, has increased of late despite authorities allowing restaurants only to provide takeaway services.

After the second wave hit the country in April, Kathmandu Valley was put under a strict lockdown for two months from April 29. When the prohibitory orders were announced, the country had 4,841 new cases and 35 Covid-19-related fatalities.

The government has also urged people not to organize protests, rallies, and demonstrations.

So far, only 10 percent of people are fully vaccinated and around 15 percent have received at least one dose of vaccines.

(SAM)