March 20: The government has made it clear that there no situation to get panicked over the suspected unavailability of goods in the market.

According to the government, the food grains available in the country can suffice for four to six months despite COVID-19 fears.    

Government Spokesperson Dr Yuba Rraj Khatiwada urged one and all not to stock goods unnecessarily. Government has initiated action against those involved in artificial shortage of food items and those spreading rumours, he added.    

According to Minister for Industry, Commerce and Supplies Lekharaj Bhatt, the country has stock of medicines that can suffice for eight months, salt for 10 months and sugar for three months. Special shops which offer daily essentials at fair price have been opened in five places of the Kathmandu Valley by the Food Management and Trade Company and the Salt Trading Corporation.    

Although most of the countries are affected by the coronavirus that originated from Wuhan, China since late December last  year, Nepal is still safe and no person is currently infected, the government assured.

After the WHO urged the south Asian countries for further preventive measures in view of the COVID-19 spread in this region, the government has intensified measures to avert the fatal virus.

Minister Bhatta has warned of stringent action against anyone involved in black marketing. "There is no problem in the supply of petroleum products," he assured. In case of cooking gas shortage, induction oven and electricity could be alternatives, he suggested.    

He however admitted that shortage of paracetamol, mask and sanitizer was reported, so supply has been increased accordingly. He also stressed that media need to feed people with genuine information.     - RSS