The government has warned members of the public not to restrict the movement of people, especially those on the frontlines, in the name of fighting Covid-19.

In a statement the Ministry Home Affairs warned people involved in evicting health workers and others inhumanely from their apartments, misbehaving with commuters, discouraging people working on the frontline, and barring movement on streets and thoroughfares in the name of health security.

With a surge in the number of coronavirus cases in the country and the death of two people from Covid-19, people have started placing temporary fences to ward off “strangers”. As of Monday morning, the total number of cases across the country has reached 304.

The ministry has also stated that the government has authorised chief district officers to issue necessary orders as per Section 2 of the Infectious Disease Act to make necessary arrangements to prevent the spread of the infectious disease, and take action against anyone found violating or opposing the rules.

“The home ministry requests everyone to not be involved in such unwarranted activities,” said the ministry on Sunday. “If anyone is found violating the request of the ministry, they will be punished according to prevailing laws.”

On Friday Police detained a person who filmed himself accosting and harassing health care workers including Dr Narayan Karki, director of the Bagmati Provincial Public Health Laboratory, who were entering Kathmandu Valley in a car.

A team from Kathmandu Metropolitan Police Range took Uttam Karki of Chandragiri into custody after his misbehaviour, filmed by himself on his phone, went viral on social media, eliciting widespread condemnation. Dr Karki has filed a complaint at the Metropolitan Police Range on Monday against Karki.