COVID-19 Lockdown Nepal: Violation Means ‘Fine or Imprisonment’!

With the emergence of second coronavirus case in the nation, the Nepali Government has announced an unprecedented lockdown starting from March 24, 2020 till March 31, 2020.

The ‘COVID-19 Prevention and Control Coordination Committee’ meeting led by Deputy Prime Minister Ishwor Pokharel has come up with this strict measure.

The lockdown includes

• People should stay at homes, allowed out only in case of emergency
• Suspension of public and private transportation
• Ban of all domestic commercial flights
• Offices should grant a leave except for the most essential services like health, security, food, water, milk, electricity, telecommunication, information and communication, customs, quarantine and garbage management
• Businesses should manage ways to supply drugs and drugs-related material
• People involved in hording goods, creating artificial shortage, black marketing and obstructing goods will be punished as per the law

However, government offices and transportation services pertaining to food and essential goods will work as usual.

According to the Minister Pokharel, people not following the lockdown rules will face stringent action as per the Infectious Disease Act, 2020 BS.

Under the Act, the rule-breakers will be clobbered with NPR 100 fine or 1-month jail or both.

Meanwhile, President Bidya Devi Bhandari has pledged to contribute her two months’ salary for the ‘Coronavirus Infection Prevention, Control and Treatment Fund’ initiated by Nepali Government.

Likewise, Vice President Nanda Bahadur Pun has also pledged to donate his one month’s salary for the Fund.

Earlier on March 23, 2020, a Nepali student with a travel history to France and Qatar had tested positive for the COVID-19 disease.

So far, Nepal has reported only two coronavirus cases. However, the first case has already recovered and discharged.

As of today, the coronavirus has infected 381,653 people and claimed 16,558 lives across 195 countries.

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