Two thousand six hundred and eighty five people, including 659 women, faced action for flouting the lockdown orders in Kathmandu Valley on Wednesday, the Metropolitan Police Office said.

They were released after three hours after being provided with sensitisation against COVID-19.

The highest number of people were held from Kathmandu. Two thousand one hundred and fifty seven people were held on the charge of defying the shutdown.

The Office said 480 people were held in Lalitpur and 48 from Bhaktapur.

The government has announced the lockdown across the country from March 24 as a prevention measure to fight spread of COVID-19 pandemic.

Similarly, 321 vehicles were impounded on the same charge and their drivers taken action. Among these vehicles, 297 are two-wheelers while 24 are four-wheelers.

Those disobeying the lockdown are sensitized about the risk of coronavirus infection and then released, Chief of the Office, Deputy Inspector General Bishworaj Pokharel, said.