By A Staff Reporter, Bhaktapur, Aug.16: Concerning the increasing cases of COVID-19, the Madhyapur Thimi Municipality in Bhaktapur has been sealed off from August 15.

The meeting of Disaster Management Committee of the municipality held on Saturday decided to seal off the municipality for 10 days till August 25, coming to effect from Saturday itself.

All public transportation services have been suspended in Madhyapur Thimi area, said Mayor of the Municipality Madan Sundar Shrestha. All nine wards have closed down their services from Saturday until August 25.

In a press statement issued by the Municipality on August 15, mayor Shrestha stated that the decision was taken as the cases of novel coronavirus started to increase in the municipality.

He said, “We decided to take this tough decision after sensing the cases of community transmission of the virus.” 

On Saturday alone, nine people, including three nurses and a security guard of the Korea-Nepal Municipality Friendship Hospital, were diagnosed with the novel coronavirus infection. All services except emergency services were suspended after the cases were found in the hospital.

According to Mayor Shrestha, public transport has been halted in the municipality. From Hanumante Bridge to Manohara Bridge on Arniko Highway, passengers are not allowed to stop, board or land.

"As the number of COVID-19 infected is increasing in the city, we have decided not to allow people to enter and exit the city," said Mayor Shrestha.

As of Saturday, 124 coronavirus cases have been reported in Bhaktapur. Nine more cases were detected on Saturday alone in the district.