KATHMANDU: The government has finally fixed 20 entry points along Nepal-India border in the wake of influx of Nepali migrant workers returning home from India with the COVID-19 pandemic.
The entry points are fixed to ease the movement of Nepalis returning home for safety following increased risk of coronavirus.
According to the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers, the twenty entry points are Pashupatinagar of Ilam, Kakadbhitta of Jhapa, Rani of Morang, Kunauli of Saptari, Thadi and Madar of Siraha, Bhittamod of Mahottari, Malangahawa of Sarlahi, Gaur of Rautahat, Birgunj of Parsa, Maheshworpur of Nawalparasi, Belhiya of Rupandehi, Taulihawa and Krishnanagar of Kapilvastu, Khajura of Banke, Surajpuur and Gulariya of Bardiya, Gauriphanta of Kailali, Gaddachowki of Kanchanpur, Jhulaghat of Baitadi and Darchula of Darchula district.
Decision to the entry gates was made for the management and control of those returning home and identification of those suffering the COVID-19.
These land routes are however practical to those coming from India. As the air route is closed, those willing to return home from other countries are not able for now. However, the homework is being made to return those coming via land routes in the first phase.
Currently, the influx of the Nepali people staying in India for employment, study and treatment has continued via the above border points.
Many of them lost their jobs, while many missed college and schooling. Suffering hardships, they are returning the homelands.
After the entry points were fixed, the arrival of the Nepalis was eased to a large extent. Earlier, many used to enter Nepal via clandestine routes taking further risk.
The entry points have helped reduce the risk, as the local governments shared.
More than 5,000 Nepalis are entering home daily via the entry points in the far and mid-west of the country. So far, more than 50,000 people originally from Sudur Paschim have returned home. The concerned State, districts and municipalities have kept record of the entry.
Holding centers in the offing
Holding centers are being set up near the entry point. Such centers are being set up at public places like school building, covered hall, party palace or any other open spaces. People entering the country would be taken to the holding center in the vehicles after their arrival. The holding centers would he managed by Nepal Army with the assistance of local administration and local COVID-19 management centers. It is further supervised by the concerned Minister of the respective State.
Meanwhile, the quarantine to accommodate 1,700 would be established in the Kathmandu Valley. These quarantines would be used for those Nepalis returning home except from India.
Currently, there are 150,000 people in various quarantines across the country.
The number of people testing positive for COVID-19 has reached 2,099 so far in Nepal while 266 persons have returned home, beating the virus.
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