COVID-19: Nepal extends nationwide lockdown until June 2

Nepal on Sunday extended the nationwide lockdown imposed to contain the spread of the coronavirus until June 2, a day after the country reported its first COVID-19 death.

A decision on the matter was taken during a Cabinet meeting held at the prime minister's official residence in Kathmandu, sources in the Cabinet said.

A high-level committee for the prevention and control of COVID-19 had recommended to the government to extend the lockdown for another 15 days in view of the rising number of coronavirus cases.

The lockdown, which was first enforced in the country on March 24, was to end on Monday midnight.

According to the Ministry of Health and Population, 14 new patients were registered in the country on Sunday, taking Nepal's tally of COVID-19 cases to 295, while two persons have died due to the disease.

A 25-year-old male from Banke district, who returned from India five days back, died at a quarantine facility after he tested positive for the COVID-19.

On Saturday, the health ministry confirmed the first coronavirus-related death of a 29-year-old female from Sindhupalchowk district. She died following difficulty in breathing.