Citing an increase in movement of people after the lockdown was eased on 15 June in areas with low caseloads, the government decided on Friday to tighten restrictions again with a night-time curfew.
No pedestrians or vehicles will be allowed out between 10PM-5AM, and the Home Ministry said police would enforce the rule in all 77 districts of Nepal.
The government had allowed partial re-opening of government and private offices, shops and enforced an odd-even rule on vehicles. Traffic and movement had picked up this week.
But there has been a sudden spike in the number of coronavirus cases in Kathmandu Valley with six new cases detected on Thursday and three more on Friday taking the total to 54.
Nationwide, the caseload continues to rise with the total reaching 8,274 with 426 new cases detected on Friday and 22 fatalities since January.
Thursday saw the highest daily jump of 671 cases, mostly among migrant workers returning from India who are in quarantine centres.
Those violating the new curfew rules will be punished as per existing laws, the Home Ministry warned. Marriage ceremonies, funerals, and any gathering of more than 15 people are also banned.
Police are also going to strictly enforce the physical separation rule of 2m and check if people are wearing masks. Cargo lorries are also not allowed to carry any passengers.
The Home Ministry said the new rules were needed because it had noticed people sneaking from one district to another and travelling long-distance in violation of lockdown rules.
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