Kathmandu: The Nepalese government had made 14-day self-quarantine mandatory for all foreigners entering the country on and after March 16 to curb the possible outbreak of coronavirus in Nepal, but they have not been adhering to the rules and the government seems to be doing nothing to cross-check implementation of the provision, The Himalayan Times said.

Christophe Noel, a US-based investigative journalist who is in Nepal, posted a message on Nepal Tourism Think Tank page on Facebook stating how foreigners visiting Nepal are not complying with the self-quarantine provision.

He added, “I spoke with a group of nine Italians who arrived in Nepal yesterday (Tuesday) and will fly to Pokhara tomorrow (Thursday) to start their trek. They said none of them presented a health certificate, but were given a self-quarantine log sheet to complete.”

At another hotel, five people from France presented health certificates, but not the required swab test, and also said they would not self-quarantine, added Noel.

The Ministry of Health and Population, which is responsible for implementing the mandatory self-quarantine provision of the government, however, had said it was primarily the responsibility of citizens and foreigners to be aware and self-quarantine as required.

“The government can’t track and monitor all the people entering Nepal. People should also help the government at this time,” Bikash Devkota, spokesperson for the MoHP, had told THT a few days ago.