KATHMANDU: The government said it has spent about Rs 10 billion for controlling and preventing the coronavirus pandemic so far.

The government said that Rs 9.87 billion has been spent on coronavirus control and treatment, quarantine construction and relief distribution.

According to Narayan Bidari, Secretary at the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers, the amount was spent from Coronavirus Epidemic Control Fund, the amount allocated by the government and the province and local governments.

The details of the expenditure were made public at a meeting of the High-Level Coordination Committee for the Prevention and Control of COVID-19 held on Wednesday.

The committee meeting also discussed ways to ease the lockdown.

Discussions have also been held with health experts on how to take ahead the lockdown while making public life easier.

An understanding has also been reached in the meeting to prepare a draft and submit it to the government to ease the lockdown.