KATHMANDU: Amid the worldwide health hazards the coronavirus epidemic has generated, NA has decided to keep its soldiers in ‘lockdown’ in barracks.

Generally, the armies hardly show them in public unless assigned some special tasks. Now the troops deployed in different centers are directed to stay in the same area as in lockdown.

Bigyan Dev Pandey, the NA spokesperson informed that the troops are kept in ‘lockdown’ status so as to ensure they are free from COVID-19 transmission.

“We have taken every measure possible to keep the troops safe from virus infection,” Pandey said, “we have the team of health-workers and physicians in ready position.”

According to the spokesperson, NA is trying to deploy its medical team in coordination with other government teams. Nearly half of the personnel are in ‘lock-down’ in Jungiadda whereas rest of them are executing their duties from home. All NA personnel in barracks are not allowed to go out from the barracks; no publics are allowed to go to the barracks and all the leave requests from the personnels are suspended till further notice.

Social distance is maintained even in the shelters at barracks, each bed has to be at the distance of one meter from the next. All personal meetings and activities are suspended for the time being.

Spokesperson Pandey informd that all the trainings outside the barracks are cancelled and all the NA members returning after the holidays are kept in quarantine prior to letting them join the troops.

NA has formed a special medical team to combat against the  coronavirus transmission. This team will work in coordination with other government teams whenever needed. Each Division of NA has provisioned the isolation ward and quarantine shelter in their areas.

Eastern Division has made a 154 bed isolation ward and 440 bed-quarantine center, whereas Mid-Eastern Division has prepared 109 isolation wards and 201 bed-quarantine center. Similarly, Mid Division and Western Division have prepared the187 isolation wards and 358 bed- quarantine shelter and 64 isolation wards and 59 bed quarantine center respectively.

Mid-Western and North Western Divisions are also equally prepared with 125 and 77 isolation wards and 241 and 260 bed quarantine shelters respectively.

Far- Western Division has prepared 13 bed isolation ward and 52 bed quarantine. Similarly, Valley Division has the isolation ward of 70 beds.

Besides, Nepal Army has been conducting various workshops and training programs about corona control and prevention measures in its various units. NA is deployed for the security of the health desks and the health-workers fulfilling their duties in Nepal’s border areas.

Keeping in eye the national needs caused by COVID-19 epidemic, NA has started manufacturing Personal Protective Equipment(PPE), masks, gloves and sanitizer.

Nepal Army which has been offering its civic and national duties irrespective of the hardship, has expressed its commitment to do everything deemed essential by the national needs.