The District Administration Office Kapilvastu has decided to seal off the district from Monday until May 18 after a sharp rise in Covid-19 cases in the district.

Chief District Officer Dhirgha Narayan Poudel said, “The District Administration Office issued a notice on Monday to seal the district, restricting movement in and out of Kapilvastu.”

Of the 99 persons whose swabs were tested through the Polymerase Chain Reaction method, 16 persons from Buddhabhumi Municipality and Yasodhara Municipality tested positive for Covid-19 in the district on Monday alone.

The district has reported a total of 21 cases so far.

Following the decision, all vehicles, except essential ones, will be barred until May 18. Industries and businesses are also to remain shut during the said period. The administration has, however, decided to allow individuals to go out to buy essentials from 7 to 9 am.