The Covid-19 prohibitory orders in the Kathmandu Valley that have been in place since April 29 have been extended until June 14 by easing some of the restrictions.

A meeting held on Wednesday between the chief district officers of Kathmandu, Lalitpur and Bhaktapur made an announcement to extend the prohibitory orders for 10 days starting Friday (June 4).

Lalitpur’s chief district officer Dhundi Prasad Niraula said the restrictions will be gradually eased after studying the infection rates. “We are hopeful that the number of cases will come down in the coming days,” said Niraula.

Last week on Thursday, the total number of infections in the Kathmandu Valley was 2,367, while on Tuesday it came down to 1,558, the Ministry of Health and Popoulation’s data shows.

From Friday, the authorities will also allow the grocery shops, departmental stores and stationery shops to open till 9am besides the shops selling vegetables, fruits, dairy products, meat and drinking water. Last week, the authorities had decided to close grocery shops and the decision had drawn widespread criticism with experts calling it short-sighted.

Similarly, vehicles carrying construction materials can only be allowed to ply from 9pm to 4am.

Automobile workshops will be allowed to open from 9pm to 9 am and shops selling vehicle spare parts will also be allowed to open in the given time frame maintaining the social distance.

However, all kinds of roadside vending including vegetables and fruits will not be allowed.

Likewise, the restrictions on social gatherings remain in place except for marriage and bratabandha ceremonies where the number of attendees has been limited to seven. Journalists and those working in media houses need passes issued by the Press Council for movement. Meanwhile, at temples, only the priest will be allowed to perform the daily Puja.