Businesses involved in goods supply and home delivery service during the lockdown period must submit their tax clearance proof in order to obtain vehicle passes.

The government started issuing new passes through local administration offices from Sunday. According to the new rules, business firms will also need recommendation letters from their organisations they are affiliated to, like the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry, to get the passes. For dairy firms, the recommendation letter should come from the Department of Livestock Service.

All privilege passes issued at the beginning of the lockdown, which started on March 24, were revoked on May 14 after Kathmandu and many other cities started witnessing an increase in the number of vehicles on roads. Cases of people misusing the passes had also gone up, prompting the government to invalidate the passes.

Netra Prasad Subedi, director general at the Department of Commerce, Supplies and Consumer Protection Management, said that all business firms are mandatorily required to submit the proof of tax clearance to get the passes.

"They should provide the latest tax clearance proof. That is before the lockdown."

Sagar Mishra, director at the department, said companies applying for passes should also clear the fines if any and have all necessary documentation.

The application is available on the official website of the department.

Passes will be provided to the employees and workers engaged in supply and production of goods. Manufacturers or suppliers of soft drink and readymade foods can also apply, according to the department.

The new rules also prohibit home delivery service providers using two-wheelers from taking pillion riders.

Vehicles carrying industrial raw materials, readymade goods, petroleum products, animal feed and livestock, fruits and vegetables will not require passes to operate.

Ambulances, mortuary vans and vehicles transporting medicines and medical equipment are also exempt from the new rules.

The department has also issued a health and safety protocol for businesses operating during the lockdown, such as providing masks, gloves and sanitisers to the staff and strictly observing social distancing.