September 3: Government authorities have extended the prohibitory order in the Kathmandu valley by another seven days.

With the latest decision taken by the chief district officers Kathmandu, Lalitpur and Bhaktapur, the prohibitory order will remain in effect till midnight of September 9.

However, the district administration offices of the three districts in the valley have eased the restrictions to some extent this time.

From now onwards, groceries and other shops selling fruits, vegetables and milk can remain open till 11 am in the morning. Meanwhile, shops selling drinking water can open throughout the day. There are no restrictions for pharmaceutical shops.

Meanwhile, any person entering Kathmandu for emergency purpose needs to mandatorily present a PCR report with negative result.

It is also mandatory for the people to wear mask in public places.

Likewise, staffers providing essential services will be allowed to commute between 9 to 10.30 in the morning and 3 to 5 pm in the evening.

Banks and financial institutions (BFIs) can operate by maintaining safety protocols and deploying minimum staffers.

Hotels and restaurants will remain completely shut during the extended period of the prohibitory order. Road-side vendors have also not been permitted to resume their business.

The district administration offices of Kathmandu, Lalitpur and Bhaktapur had imposed the prohibitory order on August 19 after a rapid increase in coronavirus cases in the valley. The prohibitory order has been extended twice and this is the third week of restriction.

The District Administration Office, Kathmandu informed New Business Age that they decided to slightly change the modality of the prohibitory order after consulting with the concerned stakeholders, including the business community, health experts and the local representatives.