The Parsa District Administration Office has imposed a prohibitory order in Birgunj metropolis from Saturday following a rise in coronavirus cases in the city.

On Friday, a meeting of the District Crisis Management Centre, chaired by Chief District Officer Bishnu Kumar Karki, decided to impose the prohibitory order for an indefinite period as a measure to stem the spread of coronavirus.

Since last Thursday, Parsa district has reported 83 cases of coronavirus infection and two Covid-19 fatalities.

“The decision to impose the prohibitory order was made in light of the increasing Covid-19 cases, rise in symptomatic cases, Covid-19 related deaths and critical condition of some patients who have been kept in isolation facilities," said Assistant Chief District Officer Lalit Kumar Basnet.

He added the District Administration Office will seek help from Nepal Police, Armed Police Force and Nepali Army to see effective implementation of the prohibitory order.

Under the prohibitory order, individuals will not be allowed to come out of their houses, except for medical emergencies or other unavoidable essential works.

"All the works and services, except those related to maintenance of peace, security and order, healthcare, supply of essentials, banking, goods import and waste management, will be prohibited during the prohibition period," said Basnet.

All private and public vehicles, except for those transporting essentials required for health workers and security personnel, will also be barred from operating, he added.

“Any individual who does not adhere to the prohibitory order will be punished as per the Infectious Disease Act.”

Since the district shares an open border with India, border patrol has been increased to curb movement across the border. Friday’s meeting also decided to increase contact tracing, and to increase the sphere of polymerase chain reaction tests among individuals living in areas with a high number of reported coronavirus infections.