<p>Nepal has imposed a partial lockdown with the government suspending international flights, long-distance transport services and closure of education institutes to tackle the coronavirus outbreak which has claimed more than 11,000 lives globally so far.</p>.<p>The Nepal Communist Party-led government has also halted non-essential services by both private and public sectors starting from March 23 to April 3.</p>.<p>In a live telecast address to the nation on Friday, Prime Minister K P Sharma Oli said long-journey transport services will be suspended indefinitely from March 23.</p>.<p>International flight operations at Tribhuvan International Airport have been shut from March 22 till March 31. All schools and colleges have been closed and examinations postponed.</p>.<p>Oli said the government would coordinate with neighbouring countries to set up health desks at major border points to ensure no traveller was affected.</p>.<p><a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/international/world-news-politics/coronavirus-updates-live-four-dead-in-china-hotel-collapse-quater-of-italy-population-put-under-lockdown-799686.html#1" target="_blank">Track live updates on the coronavirus here</a></p>.<p>He said the government would encourage work-from-home system in the private sector.</p>.<p>The prime minister warned of stern action against those involved in black-marketing, hoarding and creating artificial shortages in the market.</p>.<p>Nepal has had just one confirmed case of coronavirus, but it is at risk due its location between China and India.</p>.<p>Thousands of people living temporarily in Kathmandu have started leaving for their homes in rural areas with growing fears of COVID-19.</p>.<p>Around 3 lakh people have already left Kathmandu since Tuesday.</p>.<p>Meanwhile, special worship at the Pashupatinath temple here has been suspended. However, regular worship will be conducted as usual, the Pashupati Area Development Trust said.</p>.<p>The trust authorities have also stopped 'bagmai aarati', a worship ritual on the banks of Bagmati River in the premises of Pashupati temple.</p>.<p>The number of devotee footfalls has declined at the temple amid virus fears.</p>.<p>In a statement, the temple trust said a group of more than 25 people will not be allowed at once at the temple to worship. Hand sanitizers have been made accessible on the temple premises.</p>.<p>In a separate incident, police arrested a 20-year-old youth for allegedly spreading rumours on social media regarding COVID-19 cases being hidden by a hospital here.</p>.<p>Cyber Bureau of Nepal Police arrested Bibek Thapa Magar of Ramechhap district, currently residing in Bhaktapur, according to Senior Superintendent of Police Nabindra Aryal.</p>.<p>Magar was arrested for allegedly spreading false information and causing public fear. </p>
<p>Nepal has imposed a partial lockdown with the government suspending international flights, long-distance transport services and closure of education institutes to tackle the coronavirus outbreak which has claimed more than 11,000 lives globally so far.</p>.<p>The Nepal Communist Party-led government has also halted non-essential services by both private and public sectors starting from March 23 to April 3.</p>.<p>In a live telecast address to the nation on Friday, Prime Minister K P Sharma Oli said long-journey transport services will be suspended indefinitely from March 23.</p>.<p>International flight operations at Tribhuvan International Airport have been shut from March 22 till March 31. All schools and colleges have been closed and examinations postponed.</p>.<p>Oli said the government would coordinate with neighbouring countries to set up health desks at major border points to ensure no traveller was affected.</p>.<p><a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/international/world-news-politics/coronavirus-updates-live-four-dead-in-china-hotel-collapse-quater-of-italy-population-put-under-lockdown-799686.html#1" target="_blank">Track live updates on the coronavirus here</a></p>.<p>He said the government would encourage work-from-home system in the private sector.</p>.<p>The prime minister warned of stern action against those involved in black-marketing, hoarding and creating artificial shortages in the market.</p>.<p>Nepal has had just one confirmed case of coronavirus, but it is at risk due its location between China and India.</p>.<p>Thousands of people living temporarily in Kathmandu have started leaving for their homes in rural areas with growing fears of COVID-19.</p>.<p>Around 3 lakh people have already left Kathmandu since Tuesday.</p>.<p>Meanwhile, special worship at the Pashupatinath temple here has been suspended. However, regular worship will be conducted as usual, the Pashupati Area Development Trust said.</p>.<p>The trust authorities have also stopped 'bagmai aarati', a worship ritual on the banks of Bagmati River in the premises of Pashupati temple.</p>.<p>The number of devotee footfalls has declined at the temple amid virus fears.</p>.<p>In a statement, the temple trust said a group of more than 25 people will not be allowed at once at the temple to worship. Hand sanitizers have been made accessible on the temple premises.</p>.<p>In a separate incident, police arrested a 20-year-old youth for allegedly spreading rumours on social media regarding COVID-19 cases being hidden by a hospital here.</p>.<p>Cyber Bureau of Nepal Police arrested Bibek Thapa Magar of Ramechhap district, currently residing in Bhaktapur, according to Senior Superintendent of Police Nabindra Aryal.</p>.<p>Magar was arrested for allegedly spreading false information and causing public fear. </p>