'Smart lockdown' will be done after Ashadh 7

A meeting of the Corona Management Steering Committee has decided to hold a 'smart lockdown' from the second week of Ashadh.

A meeting of the committee held on Wednesday decided to reduce the risk of corona infection and move towards 'smart lockdown' including production and supply of essential commodities.

Smart lockdown is being done by discussing the options such as pushing / shoving on vehicles, government office leaves two days a year, opening only certain areas.

Balananda Sharma, executive director of the board of directors, told Setopati that further decision will be reached after studying the condition of corona infection by Ashadh 7.

The current injunction in the Kathmandu Valley was extended till Ashadh 7. Even after that, the injunction will remain in force. Prohibition is still in force in Kathmandu, Lalitpur, Bhaktapur, Chitwan, and other areas.

"The committee has concluded that some areas should be reopened after maintaining the ongoing lockdown this year, assessing the situation after that, and strictly following the health standards," said a member of the committee after the meeting.

The meeting was held at the Prime Minister's official residence in Baluwatar.

The meeting decided to resume flights to Turkey, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Japan, and Malaysia, which have a large number of Nepali workers.

There will be no more than 2,000 passengers a year from these countries.

The meeting also decided to provide assistance to the workers who have gone for foreign employment but cannot stay in the quarantine at the hotel due to various reasons.

The government will manage up to 10 days for quarantine for a total of 15 days. 

The meeting also decided to allocate a budget for the administrative work of the CCMC center and to allow the construction sector and essential industries to open with compliance with health standards.

The meeting also decided to provide air freight to bring oxygen cylinders sent by non-resident Nepalis and to accept materials for intensive care provided by the Israeli government.

Giving instructions at the meeting, Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli said that the lockdown could be relaxed only to the extent that there was no risk of infection by tightening the health standards.

Mentioning that vaccination is the most important and essential ingredient for cod control, he said that homework is being done to bring 4 million doses of vaccine for it and it will be started from next July.

He also said that the shortage of vaccines is gradually being solved as initiatives are being taken with other countries.

The Prime Minister also directed all the ministries and agencies to work in a coordinated manner.