Odd-even rule removed on operation of public vehicles

KATHMANDU: The order issued by the District Administration Offices (DAOs) of Kathmandu valley has removed the odd-even rule for public transportation vehicles including bus, microbus and three-wheeler. However, the private vehicles including two-wheelers and taxi will have to be operated following the odd-even rule earlier imposed by the DAOs in the wake of the third wave of coronavirus. The meeting of the chief district officers of Kathmandu, Lalitpur and Bhaktapur on Friday issued the order as per the decision taken by the Council of Ministers and the recommendation from COVID-19 Crisisi Management Coordination Centre (CCMCC), pursuant to Section 2 of Infectious Disease Act, 2020, and Sub Section 3 of Section 6 of Local Administration Act, 2028. Likewise, the DAOs have allowed public transporation to operate with passengers not exceeding the capacity. But the private vehicles including two-wheelers and taxi will have to be operated following odd-even rule. The public transporation vehicles including bus, microbus and autorickshaw need not follow the odd even rule. Other vehicles that need not follow odd-even rule include ambulance, fire-engine, hearse, operating under waste management, delivering medicines, petroleum products, foods and other commodities, dairy products, vegetables, fruits, meat, feeds and agricultural materials. Similarly, the vehicles used by government employees, health professionals, security personnel have been allowed to ply the road. They will have to bear identity cards. The order prohibits holding mass gathering, rally, fair, festival, operating dance bar, Dohori, club, health club, gym, swimmingpool cinema hall and opening stadium, museum, zoo, futsal. However, pre-scheduled international level sports competition will be allowed to take place with the permission of the DAOs, adopting the health protocols or without the physical presence of audience or limited number of audience. Likewise, all educational institutions including schools, colleges, universities and tuition centres have been barred from holding all kinds of teaching and learning activities in the physical presence of participants till February 12. All the calsses have to be held virtually. The educational institutions have been allowed to call the students for the vaccines against Covid 19 on the day to be administered vaccines. The DAOs have allowed to hold the foreign language tests for people going abroad in foreign employment and practical examinations for medical students. Likewise, the ceremonies can be held at party palace in presence of no more that 20 fully vaccinated people after taking permission from CDO. Nepalis arriving from abroad have to stay in home quarantine for five days even after testing negative in COVID tests. Similarly, the hotels, restaurants and casinos can be operated with strict health safety measures. The bearers of vaccination card can be allowed to enter such places keeping on mind the number of people not exceeding 20. READ ALSO:

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