COVID-19: Call to remain cautious against possible risks

The government has urged the general public to remain united against the potential risks stemming from COVID-19.

Noting that there is a possible risk of an outbreak of novel coronavirus, the government underlined the need for collective efforts to fight against the global pandemic.

Drawing the conclusion that the self-home quarantine should be made more effective, the government has made a public appeal calling for support from all sides in a difficult time.

The Home Ministry has also asked one and all to comply with the decisions made by the High-Level Corona Prevention and Control Coordination Committee headed by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defense Iswor Pokharel on different dates to overcome the risks.

“As Nepal also needs to place high alert measures to save off pandemic the stakeholders concerned are implementing the decisions. We need to cautiously comply with the government decisions to prevent a possible outbreak of coronavirus disease considering the statement of World Health Organization, spreading of the virus in neighboring countries and open border systems”, said the Home Ministry sources.

Making public a 19-point decision on Sunday evening, the Ministry has also called for all to collaborate in the fight against possible COVID threats.

In the statement issued by Home Ministry Spokesperson Kedar Nath Sharma, the passenger-ferrying public transport operators were asked to disinfect their vehicles.

The ministry has also warned tough action against those involved in creating an artificial shortage of consumptive goods, black-marketeering, and mixing of sub-standard stuff.

The ministry also asked the operators of hotel, motel, lodge, restaurant, bar, and shopping mall to arrange measurement of fever and health examination of people before the entrance.

In order to check the possible outbreak, the government also has toughened securities along the border with an effective arrangement of health examination of returnees at the border area.

Though the services except most essential ones have been closed the government has also asked its employees not to stay on leave, the home ministry sources added.

Also, the ministry has directed the police administration to monitor the implementation of government decisions and take action if not found enforced.

Earlier, the government has informed that the decisions of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Executive Committee headed by Home Minister Ram Bahadur Thapa have been on implementation and also urged the sides concerned to not disseminate misleading and baseless information through social networking sites.