Kathmandu: The government on Friday evening announced more measures aimed at keeping the global Covid-19 outbreak at bay, including temporary bans on all flights, all long haul transportation across the country, and all non-essential services.
Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli announced these measures and more in his first address to the nation since he underwent a second kidney transplant.
PM Oli announced a halt to all flights from March 22 to March 31, a decision that follows Wednesday’s move by the High-Level Coordination Committee to halt all incoming passengers from 55 countries in Europe, the UK, the Gulf countries, West Asia, and Turkey. Flights from China, Bhutan, Thailand and Singapore, which were exempted from Wednesday’s decision, have now also been proscribed.
He also urged Nepalis abroad to exercise patience and reach out to Nepali missions in the respective countries.
“It has come to my notice that many of you who are currently abroad are facing problems when it comes to returning home,” said Oli. “Exercise patience and reach out to our embassies. Our missions will assist you.”
Oli also announced a halt to all non-essential services from March 22 to April 3. As per the Nepal Gazette, published on October 14 last year, the government has enlisted 19 services as “essential”.
These essential services include telephone; transportation; civil aviation; airport; mint or governmental press; defence affairs relating to arms, ammunition or production of any military goods; communication; internal security; drinking water; residence of tourists; petroleum products; health; medicines; bank; insurance; and electricity. Besides these, all other services will need to remain closed until April 3.
According to Oli, these proscriptions will be continued or discontinued depending on how things evolve.
Oli said the private sector will be encouraged to work digitally as far as possible.
“But all civil servants and those working for essential services in the private sector will continue their regular works by coming to their respective offices,” he said.
