After widespread criticism, the District Administration Office of Kathmandu has formed a study team to make recommendations on how online home delivery service can be resumed.

According to the DAO officials, a study team led by Assistant Chief District Officer Janak Bhatta has been formed with representatives of the Health Ministry, Department of Commerce, Supply and Consumer Protection Management, and Nepal Police.

Police had rounded up a number of delivery people on Wednesday and Thursday last week after Chief District Officer of Kathmandu Janak Raj Dahal said they were not allowed to operate when the prohibition orders were in place. Following the curb on their operations the companies had urged him to allow their business as they were ready to follow all necessary health protocols.

But Dahal had refused saying that they do not have proper standards and monitoring mechanisms.

With the discussions with stakeholders on Sunday the Kathmandu DAO has decided to form a study team to devise necessary standards and the monitoring mechanism.

Assistant Chief District Officer Bhatta said his team will present its report which will also include the standard to be implemented for online delivery within two to three days and then they will hold discussions with the stakeholders before implementing the standard.

“Citing international practices and the complaints that there happened to be a crowd in the morning due to the time limit we have decided to study how the online delivery could be managed without affecting our concern to control the virus,” Bhatta told the Post. “If we could complete all our tasks within three days, it will be implemented right away. If not, it will be effective from the next extension of the prohibition order.”

All three chief district officers have extended the prohibition orders, which was enforced on August 18 for one week, by another week till September 2 midnight.

After the Kathmandu DAO finalises the standards for online shopping and home delivery services, it will be implemented throughout the Kathmandu Valley, including Lalitpur and Bhaktapur as well.

“Once the Kathmandu DAO prepares the standard and mechanism that would be implemented throughout the Valley,” said Lalit Basnet, Assistant Chief District Officer of Lalitpur.