Kathmandu, April 5 -- The Government of Nepal on Sunday decided to implement a two-day public holiday--Saturday and Sunday--in response to the ongoing fuel crisis linked to prolonged conflict in West Asia, which has caused major disruption to the global energy trade due to the virtual closure of the Strait of Hormuz.

The decision was taken during a meeting of the Council of Ministers held at the Office of the Prime Minister in Kathmandu.

Government offices and all educational institutions will observe the new weekend schedule starting April 6 to help facilitate petroleum supply, government spokesperson Sasmit Pokharel said.

Pokharel stated that the move to close offices and schools on Sundays was prompted by ongoing disruptions in petr...