Kathmandu: Nepal has announced a relief package targeting those affected by the government’s move to put the country under lockdown to slow down the spread of coronavirus.

Announcing the Cabinet decisions, government Spokesperson Yubaraj Khatiwada, who also heads finance and communications and information technology ministries, said the decision was taken to make food relief available to needy households through local level governments throughout the lockdown period.

Provincial and local level governments are required to establish a designated fund through which such relief materials will be disbursed to needy households, added Khatiwada.

The government has also decided to make contributions for the month of Chaitra for those who are registered at the Social Security Fund. However, the government has asked organised sector employers, including the ones affected by the coronavirus, such as tourism, to pay salaries of workers for the month of Chaitra.

The government has also directed the Food Management and Trading Company and Salt Trading Ltd to offer 10 percent discount on rice, lentils, sugar, oil and salt during the crisis. Nepal Telecom has also been directed to provide 25 percent discount on internet/data services throughout the lockdown period. Private telecom firms have also been asked to manage discounts on data and internet accordingly.

The government has also decided to give 25 percent discount on electricity tariff to customers who consume up to 150 units of electricity. No late fee will be imposed on electricity, water and telephone bill of Falgun and Chaitra if they are cleared by the end of Baisakh.

The government has also decided to provide insurance up to Rs 2.5 million to those involved in fighting the coronavirus in Nepal.

The government has requested house owners in city areas not to take one month’s rent from those staying in their homes as tenants. The government will not take rental tax on the waived rent from house owners.

The government has also taken a few customs-related decisions.

It decided to give customs waiver facility on imports of all drugs and medical equipment related to coronavirus. The government has also extended the deadline for paying taxes for Falgun and Chaitra. The value added tax and income tax payment time has been extended till May 8.

The government has also reduced import quota of gold to 10 kg per day from 20 kg. Import of vehicles worth more than $50,000 has been banned.

The government has also decided to take loans worth approximately Rs 22 billion from the World Bank, Asian Development Bank and International Monetary Fund.
Kathmandu, March 29

The government today decided to extend the nationwide lockdown till April 7 as the number of COVID-19 cases rose to five since the lockdown was announced on March 23.

A cabinet meeting held today decided the extension of lockdown. Ministers were seen seated at a safe distance from one another in this picture from today’s meeting. Photo: Surya Thapa, Press Advisor to PM

A meeting of the Cabinet held in Baluwatar this evening took a decision to this effect.

“The directive issued as per the Infectious Disease Act 1963 has been extended till April 7 midnight,” said Minister of Finance, Communications and Information Technology Yubaraj Khatiwada at a televised press conference after the Cabinet meeting.
 
On March 23, the government had announced a weeklong nationwide lockdown from March 24 till March 31.

The Cabinet also decided that restriction of people’s movement through international borders on both northern and southern sides would be extended till April 7 midnight. Movement of vehicles carrying goods, however, will continue as usual.

The government formed a ‘Corona 2019 Crisis Management Team’ under the leadership of Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Ishwor Pokhrel. The team will basically ensure the implementation of the government’s decision to prevent and control novel coronavirus.

Other members of the team are Home Minister Ram Bahadur Thapa, Health Minister Bhanu Bhakta Dhakal, Finance Minister Khatiwada, Industry and Supplies Minister Lekh Raj Bhatta, Federal Affairs Minister Hridayesh Tripathi and chiefs of security agencies.

The government has decided to extend the suspension of incoming international flights till April 15.

A separate meeting of the high-level coordination committee for the prevention and control of novel coronavirus took the decision earlier in the afternoon.

The government had on March 20 decided to halt international flight operations at Tribhuvan International Airport from March 22 to March 31. Domestic flights have remained suspended since the country went for a nationwide complete lockdown on March 24.

The government has also decided to take stern action against those not willing to stay in quarantine, fleeing quarantine or not informing the authorities about their possible exposure to COVID-19. The committee led by Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Ishwor Pokhrel decided that such individuals would be sent to jail and the home ministry would coordinate in this regard.

The government also decided to take security agencies’ help while setting up and operating quarantine facilities across the country.

It was decided to deliver medical equipment received from China, such as personal protective equipment, to the provinces as per their need. Speaking to journalists after the meeting, the committee’s Member Secretary Ram Prasad Bidari said the government received five units of PCR (polymerase chain reaction) machines, which were used for the test of COVID-19 infection.

He said four of the machines would be delivered to Karnali, Sudurpaschim and provinces 1 and 5 immediately. One machine will be kept in Kathmandu and will be sent to places where needed. Testing has already begun in Dharan.

“As we receive more equipment, we’ll deliver it to the provinces,” said Bidari. “The government will also deliver 1,000 units of PPE to each of the seven provinces, besides other equipment and medicines.” The government has also decided to let Nepalis, who are stuck at border points on their way back home, enter Nepal showing their identity cards. However, they will be allowed in on the condition that they compulsorily undergo a 14-day quarantine at the nearest quarantine facility. All their details will also be taken. The exercise will be carried out in coordination with provincial and local governments.

In the case of Nepali students living in foreign countries, parents can send them money from Nepal and Nepal Rastra Bank will make necessary arrangements for the same. “Nepali students have been urged to stay safe wherever they are. They have been requested to return only after the situation becomes normal,” said Bidari.

The government will also seek help from security agencies to ensure smooth supply of food, medicines and daily essentials. “The government will leave no stone unturned to ensure that supply remains smooth,” said Bidari.