Nepal imposes slew of restrictions as Covid cases surge
Kathmandu, January 16 (EFE).- Nepal on Sunday imposed a set of restrictions, including the shuttering of entertainment and recreation venues and limiting the movement of the population until January 29, amid a surge in Covid-19 infections.
Gyanendra Bahadur Karki, a government spokesperson, announced the order on prevention and control amid the Covid-19 wave fuelled by the Omicron variant at the Council of Ministers on Sunday.
He said that the government had decided to close theatres, gyms, nightclubs, health clubs, swimming pools, and open-air markets until January 29.
Karki, who is also the Minister for Communication and Information Technology, said that gatherings, for the moment, should be virtual.
The government, however, will conduct crucial meetings with a maximum of 25 people in attendance, providing attendees present a negative antigen test.
As of January 21, residents will have to provide digital Vaccination Cards to access public services, such as restaurants, stadiums, offices, airports and parks,
Fanindra Mani Pokhrel, joint secretary at the Home Ministry, told Efe that schools, universities, colleges, tuition centers, training and other educational activities would now be remote with home learning instated.
The secretary added that a maximum of 25 people would be able to enter malls and supermarkets at any given time.
“Affected owners and managers will have to ensure the health and safety protocols to their customers.”
Capacity at stadiums has been restricted to one-third, Pokhrel said.
Domestic airlines have been mandated to conduct antigen tests for prospective travelers with only those who test negative able to board their flights.
Nepal on Sunday reported 4,961 new Covid-19 cases. The virus caseload was just 213 on January 2.EFE
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