Arghakhanchi, March 23: The District Administration Office, Arghakhanchi district has declared to lockdown the district effective from today might at 12 to until further notice to prevent the risk of COVID-19.    

The all-side meeting chaired by Chief District Officer of the district Bijayaraj Poudel today took the decision to this effect. All vehicles-private and public, except for those carrying essential supplies, will be barred from entering the district.    

The drivers and assistant drivers of the vehicles carrying essential supplies, however, will be examined for COVID-19 before they enter the district.    

The pharmacies and petrol pumps however, however, remain open round the clock while shops of food items will open from 10 am to 2 am. The vegetable and fruit shops and dairy firms will be opened from 6 am-9 am and 4 pm-7 pm.    

Present in the meeting were parliamentarian Chandra Bahadur Khadka, Province Assembly member Chet Narayan Acharya, Sandikharka Municipality Mayor Kamal Prasad Bhusal, Nepali Congress district president Bishu

Muskan along with the chief of security agencies, political parties' leaders, representatives from business community and social organizations.