Lawmakers ask government about preparations against coronavirus

In a session of the House of Representatives (HoR) today, the Lower House members drew the government’s attention towards the spread of the Covid-19 in South Korea, remaining and serving as the attractive job market for Nepalis, as well and its possible implications on Nepali workers there.

The coronavirus officially named as the Covid-19 said to be originated from Wuhan of Hubei province in China has now spread globally and lately its infection has shoot up in South Korea, they said, demanding the government brief them about the status of Nepali there. Nepal Communist Party (NCP)’s Dharmasheela Chapagain warned that Nepali people in South Korea were likely to bear the brunt of the infection, seeking their prompt rescue. The lawmaker stressed the government should instantly come up with special measures to prevent the infection risk in the country.

Pushpa Bhusal of Nepali Congress expressed concern of the lack of any mechanism at country’s sole international airport to deal with the issue which has been already termed a global health threat. “Why there is no initiation to introduce the virus detective mechanism and set up quarantine centers,” she questioned. Warning the government about the noticeable Covid-19 cases seen in South Korea, Bhusal sought the government’s attention to rescue Nepali from there. Dila Sangroula of the Nepali Congress apprised the House that most universities in the country were in mess in absence of officials, urging the government to fill such vacuum instantly. Dibya Mani Rajbhandari of the same party expressed his concern over a delay in the printing of e-passport and excise duty sticker, citing possibility of corruption in the procurement.

NCP’s Deepak Prakash Bhatta stressed on the expansion of border point paving the way for easy trade in the Far Western state. Nawaraj Silwal of the same party demanded the government take growing cases of violence against women and girls into account and implement effective containment measures. He spoke the need of regulation in regard with open supply of acid