Odd-even rule for public transportation lifted

After the public outcry, the three District Administration Offices (DAOs) in Kathmandu Valley today decided to lift the odd-even rule for public transportation.

A meeting of the chief district officers (CDOs) of Kathmandu, Lalitpur and Bhaktapur districts held today, but decided to continue the rule in case of taxis and all kinds of private vehicles.

The valley administration has tried to limit the number of public transportation including buses, microbuses and tempos to check the spread of third wave of Covid-19. But the less number of public transportation forced the public to travel in crowed situation, spreading the Corona virus.

The Covid-19 Crisis Management Coordination Committee (CCMCC) also recommended the administration to remove the odd-even rule in case of public transportation including buses, microbuses and tempos.

Like the public health experts, the CCMC also concluded that the implementation of odd-even rule has only increased risk of further transmission of Covid-19 as most  public transportation were seen overcrowded after the odd-even rule was enforced to contain further spread of Covid-19.

The CCMCC meeting today also recommended the government to continue the closure of schools and colleges, and continue with virtual classes till mid- February. Earlier, the CCMC meeting had decided to suspend physical classes in schools and colleges till January end only.