Heightened concerns over the spread of novel coronavirus to Nepal notwithstanding, the federal government this week issued a notice which effectively debars ride-sharing companies from using private vehicles for public transportation.

The Department of Transport Management under the Ministry of Physical Infrastructure and Transport issued the notice on Wednesday saying private vehicles should not be used for purposes other than specified. However, the department’s notice is not different from the notices it published in January and November last year, only to withdraw them later, following a massive public outrage each time.

The World Health Organization has labelled the outbreak of Covid-19, the disease emanating from the latest coronavirus strain as a pandemic as it is able to spread from person to person in an efficient and sustained manner. So far, there have been 129,000 reported cases of Covid-19 in 114 countries and it has caused more than 4,400 deaths worldwide.

“There is fear of coronavirus, and the government has already published a notice to avoid a crowd or public gathering, but getting into public vehicles means you are in a crowd as they squeeze in passengers, and that involves more threat. What’s wrong in allowing ride-sharing companies, they are a lot safer,” said Niraj Shakya, who lives in Dallu and is a regular commuter on ride-sharing vehicles.

“I take rides from both Tootle and Pathao, and they are comparatively cheaper and more comfortable,” said Shakya, a musician by profession.

Over the past few years, the ride-sharing services have become a source of income for many.

Reacting to the government’s move, Priyanka Shrestha, 26, a freelance writer and a regular user of two-wheeled ride-sharing vehicles in Kathmandu, said the government’s notice is “completely illogical”.

“Given the traffic of Kathmandu, ride-sharing comes in very handy during emergencies. Taxis never agree to go by the meter, and even if we board them, they are bound to be stuck in a jam and often overcharge. Also, during the night, micros and buses are not always available on all routes,” said Shrestha, who lives in Boudha. “When you take a ride you need to wear a mask so as to avoid dust, and it’s safer than boarding a public vehicle at a time when there is a global threat of coronavirus. I wonder why the government has announced this restriction.”

Tritha Raj Khanal, information officer at the department, said the government is just implementing the country’s law. He referred to the Transport Management Act 1993, which states private motor vehicles cannot be used for public transport.

“The law is in the process of amendment and the Province 3 government is working on it. Once the new law is formulated, there will be no restrictions,” said Khanal.

However, an official at the department said on the condition of anonymity that the department had issued the notice to pacify the errant taxi drivers. “They came to the department’s office, blocked the road, and chanted slogans against the director general, Gogan Bahadur Hamal, so it was a hasty decision made by the department,” said an official.

Taxi drivers in Kathmandu have long been speaking against the government for letting the ride-sharing companies operate, which affects their business.

The government’s fresh notice also received a backlash on social media.

“Instead of banning it, you make law, levy tax, but don’t stop [them],” wrote Dr Joshi from his twitter handle.

In mid-January last year, following complaints from taxi drivers, the Metropolitan Traffic Police seized motorbikes used “illegally” to offer transportation services, but after widespread criticism from the public, the decision was withdrawn two days later when Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli instructed then minister for physical infrastructure and transport Raghubir Mahaseth to revoke the order.

Meanwhile, the operators of ride-sharing companies in Nepal have been accusing the government of working against the incomes of scores of people by enforcing outdated clauses of the law. About 60,000 riders and nearly 100,000 people in Kathmandu Valley use their services, according to ride-sharing companies Tootle and Pathao.

“The fear of coronavirus has lessened traffic on the road, and it’s safer to share a ride,” said Sixit Bhatta, co-founder of Tootle.

Shashank Thapa, assistant manager at Pathao, said the government’s notice when the threat of coronavirus has become a global pandemic is not a pleasing one. “The government should have instead encouraged ride-sharing in the Valley because they only carry one person at a time, which is less risky than travelling by public vehicles.”