KATHMANDU: Goods imported by Nepal from China have been shifted to safe storage in Tibet as the administration there extended restrictions over COVID-19 spread.
Nepali traders said the goods were on the way to Nepal as the Tibetan administration extended COVID-19 lockdown till September 3.
Bhotekoshi Chamber of Commerce President Funu Sherpa said due to the lockdown, containers carrying the goods bound for Nepal have been safely stored.
He added since rerouting the goods was not possible, around 100 containers carrying goods imported by Nepali traders have been sent to a secure air-conditioned warehouse for storage.
“The goods are safe, but it is still unclear when they would leave Tibet and arrive here,” said Sherpa.
Bhotekoshi Chamber of Commerce said the Tibetan administration has suspended services as it is intensively testing people for COVID19.
The government of Tibet, an autonomous region of China, has been implementing restrictive measures since August 6 to tackle the COVID-19 surge.
China sealed the two major trade routes to Nepal: Rasuwagadhi from August 6 and Tatopani from August 10.
The Nepali traders hoped that their consignments targeted for Dashain would reach Nepal on time.
Nepal bound containers are stuck in Lhasa and other cities in Tibet.
Traders said goods worth more than Rs 1 billion have been imported from China targeting Dashain.
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