A five-day prohibitory order has been imposed in Jaleswar, the headquarters of Mahottari district, to stop the spread of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19). The drastic step was taken after community transmission of the deadly virus was reported.

A decision to this end was taken by the District Natural Disaster Management Committee. The order that came into effect from 11:00 pm last night will remain in effect for the next five days.

According to a notice issued by Chief District Officer Krishna Bahadur Katwal, who chairs the committee, the order applies to the area within Bhargawasar Temple in the east, Ramanandan Biseshwar Mahendra Campus in the west, Ranabhim battalion in the north and Ratopul in the south.

Likewise, a prohibitory order has been imposed in ward no. 3 and 4 of Mahottari Rural Municipality in the district.

The prohibitory order was issued after 10 Nepal Army personnel mobilized in dead body management and in isolation centres, a community school headteacher, Jaleswar municipality staff and family members of a person who died from COVID-19, were found infected with the virus. A 64-year-old man of Mahottari Rural Municipality-3 died of COVID-19 a week ago.