The District Administration Office in Banke has decided to impose a lockdown in Nepalgunj Sub-Metropolitan City from April 21 midnight to April 25 midnight to contain the Covid-19 surge.

All services except for businesses dealing with health, drinking water, dairy, electricity; ambulances and fire trucks, waste management, fuel, and medicines will remain closed. Supply and sale of daily essentials and groceries will be allowed between 6am-9am.

“Scheduled exams, public construction and airline services will remain operational,” said Chief District Officer of Banke Shivaram Gelal.

Banke currently has as many as 1,000 active cases with 735 cases recorded in Nepalgunj alone, according to coronavirus focal person at District Health Office, Tej Oli.

On Tuesday, the meeting of the District Covid Crisis Management Committee and an all party meeting had recommended a lockdown for a week in Nepalgunj.

Meanwhile, Butwal Sub-Metropolitan City has decided to close all educational institutions until May 14.

“All in person classes from Nursery to Grade 12 have been stopped,” reads a statement released by the sub-metropolis. “Institutions can opt for alternative ways to conduct classes.”

The sub-metropolis has also halted the basic level examinations of grade 8 and other pre-scheduled examinations until the said period.