KATHMANDU: Nepal’s Prime Minister KP Oli stressed on collective and joint efforts of SAARC member states to devise a plan to fight the COVID-19 pandemic.
Thanking India’s PM Modi for taking this timely initiative, PM Oli also thanked Modi and all other SAARC leaders for their kind words and good wishes on his speedy recovery.
Saying that Nepal detected one suspected case of coronavirus, which tested to be negative, PM Oli said the Government of Nepal is alert of the high risk of a possible outbreak at any time. “We remain alert in preventing it,” he added.
“We have taken several measures to prevent the disease from entering the country. I am personally overseeing and guiding towards this effort,” he said.
PM Oli said the government of Nepal has restricted international movements, and on-arrival visas have been suspended.
“Movement of third-country national via land routes have also been suspended,” he said adding “We have suspended the issuance of work permit for foreign employment.”
He also said that international passengers are required to undergo screening at the international airport.
PM Oli further informed the conference that Nepal has encouraged self-quarantine facilities and provisions of self-quarantines for international travelers have been suggested.
“We have set up several isolation wards in the hospitals,” he added.
Meanwhile, PM Oli also said that all permits for mountaineering expeditions for Spring 2020 has been suspended and all international conferences, too, have been postponed due to the fear of coronavirus spread.
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