The government has announced to allow public vehicles to resume their service from Friday.

The lockdown restrictions, however, have not been lifted for long distance vehicles.

The government’s spokesperson Yubaraj Khatiwada, also the minister for finance, on Thursday announced the Cabinet’s decision to resume public vehicles.

In Kathmandu Valley, public vehicles can operate freely in all three districts, Kathmandu, Lalitpur and Bhaktapur. However, public transport operators outside the Valley must limit their service within their respective district, Khatiwada said.

Public transport operators must strictly follow the government’s health and safety protocols while carrying passengers.

The health and safety protocols include mandatory social distancing inside the vehicle, limiting the passenger numbers to half the seating capacity, keeping hand sanitisers for passengers and compulsory mask and gloves rules for drivers, conductors and passengers, among others.

The government has also said that public vehicle operators can charge up to 50 percent above the normal fare rates until the lockdown period is fully lifted.