March 19: As part of the preparedness to prevent the pandemic of Covid-19, the government has decided to ban travels to Nepal from all European countries, Gulf countries, Iran, Turkey, Malaysia, South Korea and Japan. Even the educational institutions including schools and colleges have been asked to close its all activities until April 12.
The travel ban will come into effect starting from midnight of March 20 and will remain in force until April 15. Information on the prohibition will be circulated to the relevant diplomatic missions and departments.
The meeting of the high level coordination committee headed by Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Ishwar Pokhrel on control of Covid-19 took a decision to this effect on Wednesday evening.
The meeting urged all not to make movements except during necessary situation. Gathering of more than 25 people in cultural, social and other activities at party palaces, temples, monasteries, mosque and chruches are restricted. Monitoring of these activities will be done by the Ministry of Home Affairs and Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation.
Similarly, provisions will be made to offer treatment in certain community and private hospitals identified by the Ministry for Health and Population, to the patients who require treatment for the COVID-19 infection.
Cinema halls, cultural centres, stadiums, sports venues, gyms, health clubs, museums, swimming pools, dance bars, clubs and other entertainment venues will remain closed until April 30.
Moreover, provincial and local level governments will also monitor the decisions of the high level committee.
Public transportation entrepreneurs have been asked to ensure vehicles do not to carry passengers over their capacity. The public will be requested not to travel on crowded vehicles. The Nepal Police is to monitor this decision.
Public transportation vehicle owners will be instructed to carry out disinfection of vehicles from time to time everyday and prior to operation. This will be monitored by the Transportation Management Department and Nepal Police. Places of public importance and where crowds are likely shall be disinfected by local levels (metropolitan, sub-metropolitan, municipality and rural municipality) at certain time intervals on a daily basis. The Ministry of Federal Affairs and General Administration, Provincial Government and Local Government will coordinate for monitoring of this decision.
The government further decided to immediately prosecute all those who engage in hoarding, black marketeering, adulteration of goods and creating artificial shortages.
Provisions shall be made for visa extension for foreign nationals who are unable to return to their home countries due to travel restrictions imposed on them if they file application within the current visa deadlines. The Ministry of Home Affairs and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is to coordinate on these arrangements.
In case of cancellation of flights during the period of travel advisory by the government of Nepal or cancelation by the airline company itself, the government shall instruct all airlines to reimburse full fare to their passengers and not to charge any fees in case of date exchanges. This directive will be monitored by the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation.
The proprietors/management of hotels, restaurants and shopping malls need to provide sanitizer to clean customers' hands and will also require to regularly sanitize tables, chairs, bars, railings and toilets. Likewise, these businesses are required to have thermometers on hand to measure temperature and conduct health screening of all people entering these places.
Likewise, strict action will be taken as per existing law against those producing fake news including on social media. - RSS
