The government has enforced guidelines to open the businesses in Thamel and Durbar Marg areas round the clock.
According to the District Administration Office (DAO) Kathmandu, the entertainment-related businesses that wish to operate their shops after 10 pm will have to install sound proof systems in their outlets. Likewise, they need to maintain the personal details of their employees. The recreation businesses including dance bars, live music banks, lounge bars, pubs, clubs and discos have to bar the entry of individuals under the age of 18.
Those recreation outlets that will operate until 4 am in the morning will have to abide by additional rules. These include managing transport for drunken customers to their residents, to control sex-oriented activities and to maintain cultural values on song and dance they perform for their customers.
During a meeting with stakeholders concerned, the Ministry of Home Affairs on Friday decided to implement the guidelines. Targeting the increasing influx of tourists, the government two weeks ago decided to allow operation of businesses in these two main tourism hubs of the capital 24 hours a day.
The records with the Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) show that the number of foreign visitors was 128,167 tourists in March this year. The figure was a record high inflow of tourists in a single month in the past four years.
The DAO, Kathmandu, has been given a full charge for security and other management for operating the outlets round the clock. According to the DAO, most likely these business hubs will be allowed to operate in the new modality by April 13 (the Nepali New Year).
