PM’s directive to improve quality of quarantine

Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has directed the authorities concerned to build quality quarantine centres in consideration of the people likely to return home from various countries.

He also directed the COVID-19 crisis management operation centre to expand the scope of the testing for Corona Virus. Taking note of the efforts made so far by the Centre to control the pandemic today, Prime Minister Oli also urged to manage necessary resources required to address the large number of people who would return immediately after the lockdown is lifted. The Prime Minister had also directed to identify the people who are said to have traveled to villages despite lockdown enforcement and help spread the infection.

He pointed out the need of maintaining social distancing and informing the public about food, hygiene and regular physical exercise when there is no specific medication for the virus. According to the CCMC Coordinator Mahendra Prasad Guragain, the meeting today evaluated that the progress so far has been satisfactory with the lockdown being imposed in the right time, and people supporting it. The Centre has informed that the scope of testing has been widened emphasizing the areas where infected people travel through and came to contact. A conclusion was made to widen the parameter of test in a planned manner.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs had already directed the Nepali diplomatic missions in different countries to identify the Nepali nationals who want to return home due to loss of employment and coronavirus infection, among others. The Centre is regularly doing its preliminary ground work to manage the returnees.

The Prime Minster along with the Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister, the Home Minister, the Health and Population Minister and the Minster for Commerce and Supplies had reached the centre to enquire about the efforts underway to suppress the coronavirus.