March 24: The streets of  Kathmandu Valley wear a deserted look with the government enforcement of lockdown in view of possible outbreak of coronavirus in the country.    
A meeting of the High-Level Coronavirus Control and Prevention Coordination Committee on Monday evening deiced to enforce lockdown effective from March 24 (6.00am) till March 31 (6.00pm) to contain the spread of COVID-19.    
Following the confirmation of a second COVID-19 case in Kathmandu, the government took the decision to impose nationwide lockdown as per the Clause 2(2) of Infectious Disease Act-2020 to prevent the spread of virus to others.

It may be noted that a 19-year Nepali girl who had returned from France via Qatar had tested positive for COVID-19. This is the second coronavirus infection case in Nepal.    
With the lockdown in effect, no one is allowed to leave their houses except for urgent maters such as medical emergency and purchase of consumable goods.

All vehicular movement of private and public sectors have been banned except emergency vehicles, including those holding special permits, security personnel and medics.    
Superintendent of Police Jeevan Kumar Shrestha, Spokesperson at the Metropolitan Traffic Police Division said with the enforcement of lockdown very few vehicles are plying on the roads of Kathmadnu Valley.

"The vehicles carrying most-essential goods and those having passes are only operating," he shared.    
Quite a nominal number of people are seen walking on the road with the enforcement of no-permission for people to leave their house except for urgent matters.    
In case of violating the directives under the lockdown, one can be sentenced to jail for up to six months or penalized Rs 600 or has to face both punitive actions.   - RSS