Kathmandu, Jan 18: The District Administration Offices (DAO) of Kathmandu, Lalitpur and Bhaktapur have banned all the social gatherings and events such as mass assembly, conference and seminar, and the like that forms crowding due to the growing risk of COVID-19.

Issuing an order separately today, the DAOs ordered that seminar, review meetings, a conference among others to be held virtually and for the activities that require physical attendance be organized not exceeding over the presence of 50 people.

The religious places and shrines shall have their regular worship and prayers but all special worship programmes have been barred until 12 February to prevent and contain the rapidly spreading Omicron variant of COVID-19.

The health club, dance bar, gym, and swimming pool among others shall also be closed until January 29 this year.

The new order comes into effect from today midnight and is enforced within the Kathmandu Valley.

Similarly, to access public spaces, one should show a vaccination card compulsorily and the public vehicles are not allowed to carry passengers beyond their seat capacity. Also, mandatory usage of masks for all is ordered and the face mask could be provided for Rs 5 to the unmasked passenger.

To avail of public services, the service-seekers should be fully vaccinated. Also, those participating in the seminar, review meeting, and conference among others should also show evidence of full vaccination.

To enter places such as stadiums, hotels, and restaurants, people should have a vaccination card, hard or soft copy, according to the order.