With the increase in the Novel Coronavirus cases worldwide, the government has decided to operate only a few borders between Nepal and India. The meeting between the Government officials, the High-Level Coordination Committee, and the Deputy Prime minister has decided to make the borders strict with check-ups and checkpoints.
Along with it, the Ministry of Health of India also issued a notice on Wednesday saying that the foreigners traveling through the roadways will be restricted to a blockade with an immigration check post with adequate health check facilities.
The Minister of Communications and Information Technology said that the Ministry of Home and Foreign Affairs would work in coordination with the Ministry of Home and External Affairs to systematically access only the specific border points connected with India to prevent the pandemic of Coronavirus. The systematic crossings are Kakadvitta, Jogbani, Raxaul, Bhairahawa, and Kanchanpur. Nepal has already closed its borders to China.
Government Officials told that the meeting reviewed the risk of infection of Coronavirus. He also added that they discussed the methods and precautions as the cases in South India increased.
Effect of CoronaVirus in Granting Visas to Foreigners
Moreover, the government has suspended visas for all foreigners and non-resident Nepalese who come to Nepal from March 14th to April 2nd. In the beginning, visas for six countries were suspended. But, as the infection grew, the permits for other countries also got delayed. Nepalese visa for tourists coming from Italy, Iran, Japan, Germany, Spain, France, and China is also suspended for the current time. However, a foreigner with the Nepali visa, willing to visit Nepal, will have to submit a health report before seven days before the date of arrival. Any foreigner or NRN coming to Nepal for a compelling and urgent task should provide health certificates.
The government has not decided to stop international flights for now. According to the minister, the airline services would not operate in Nepal. However, the cost of the visa will be deducted.
Things to be done to prevent spreading CoronaVirus
Self-quarantine
After Saturday, all foreigners arriving in Nepal will have to stay for self-quarantine for 14 days. And the Nepali citizens should remain in home-quarantine. The foreigner with a student or labor visa should also stay in self-quarantine for 14 days.
Labor acceptance off
Labor sanction has been suspended from Nepal for Nepalese willing to work abroad until further notice. The government has decided not to give ‘No Objection Certificate’ to students going abroad to study till April 1st.
The school will not be closed immediately.
The government has decided not to close any schools or to postpone the examinations. However, in case of emergency and the risk of COVID-19, the government will take action, says Khatiwada. He also added that citizens should avoid mass gatherings.
Infrastructure with ICU in all seven provinces
To prevent the infection, the committee has decided to make the law easier in the purchase of materials required to control the infection. Khatiwada also said that the Ministry of Health would prepare health workers and quarantine services too. Also, the government would make sure that the volunteers from Red Cross, Scouts, medical colleges would be on hand.
Effect for Travel Industry
NMA, Nepal mountaineering association have decided that climbing like Mera Peak Climbing, Island Peak Climbing, and trekking permits won’t be provided for the next spring season. Spring is one of the best times to visit Nepal, and thousands of travelers were planning to come to Nepal in the same season. To prevent Spread of Global pandemic, governments have decided not to give permits for climbing in Nepal Himalayas.
Future Planning by Nepal along with SAARC countries
Yesterday, (15th march) members of SAARC countries did a Video conference to talk about the COVID-19 and its causes for South Asian countries. Also, a plan to prevent SAARC ( South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation) from this global outbreak. A strong implementation of Health check points with information desks for people around the countries will be done ASAP.
WHO announced that the world is in danger and they’ve called it a Pandemic situation. Requesting everyone to step back from the meeting, travelling, and unhealthy behaviour. Also, authentic health information regarding the global Coronavirus outbreak will be provided to encourage people to fight with this outbreak.
Future Planning by Nepal Government to prevent Nepal from this Global Disaster
- No on-arrival Visas will be provided for the foreigners
- Daily Health Checkups will be done in crowded places
- No permits for Trekking, Peak Climbing, and Expeditions like Mera Peak Climbing
- People coming Nepal from the date 15 march 2020 should stay quarantined for 15 days.
- Foreigners coming to Nepal should issue visa from the Embassy of Nepal in their respective country
- Foreigners should provide health report suggesting they are not infected by Nobel Coronavirus
More information regarding Immigration
Extra Dose of Information by White Hill Adventure
Till today, Teku Hospital has tested more than 500 suspects for Nobel CoronaVirus and only one has been found to be infected by Corona Virus. He has already been discharged by the hospital by successful Treatment.
The Government has directed the Ministry of Health to propose to prepare proper infrastructures of Health along with an isolation room and ICU in all the seven provinces of Nepal.
