The Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) said in a statement on Sunday that the suspension period for all domestic and international commercial passenger flights has been extended to July 5.

"Special permission from CAAN is required for repatriation flights, rescue flights, freighter flights and flights related to the medical and other essential supplies," the statement read.

All flights, except special charter flights, have been suspended in the Nepali sky since the enforcement of a lockdown in the country on March 24. Though the country has relaxed the lockdown and allowed certain services to operate, the suspension on air service continues.

The Himalayan country plans to ease the lockdown in three phases. In the first phase, shops have been allowed to open and private vehicles for short distances have started operating from June 11.

The first phase will last for 21 days, followed by the second and third phases that will last for 15 days each. After assessing risks, private offices, large industries, shopping centers and malls, among others, will be gradually opened.

The country has so far reported 5,760 confirmed COVID-19 cases and 19 deaths. 

(Cover: Stranded Australian citizens wait in a queue to board a flight back to their country at Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu, Nepal, May 6, 2020. /AP)