KATHMANDU, MAY 1
The COVID Crisis Management Centre has decided to operate offices except those providing the most essential services, by calling just one-fourth of their existing employees.
At a meeting held today, CCMC decided that banks and financial institutions operating in the lockdown-enforced Kathmandu valley and other big cities would be asked to provide services through one-fourth of its employees.
Nepal Rastra Bank will facilitate the process in the enforcement of the order. The press pass issued by the Department of Information and Broadcasting would be valid in Kathmandu valley, while chief district officers are authorised to issue such passes in other districts.
The CCMC also decided to enforce food and accommodation for employees and workers of industries and enterprises within the industry to keep its operations smooth, run factories and industries producing materials (masks, sanitiser, soap, gloves, oxygen) used for prevention, control and treatment of COVID-19 by adopting health safety protocols and continue with public infrastructure construction by arranging food and accommodation for workers involved in the field.
According to Deputy Prime Minister Iswor Pokharel-led CCMC's Secretariat, public vehicles used for supplying construction materials for such projects will be allowed on the basis of pass provided by the project.
In Kathmandu valley, the Department of Tourism, Department of Immigration, Nepal Tourism Board and Nepal Police will jointly monitor those residing in hotel quarantines while the province and local levels will carry out the task in other districts. The local levels will monitor people residing in home quarantines. Likewise, foreigners staying in hotel quarantines will be deported to their home country with penalty if they are found violating the health protocols. For failure to properly manage, the hoteliers will be fined as per the laws.
As decided by the CCMC, media houses will be requested to disseminate awareness raising messages against COVID-19.
A version of this article appears in the print on May 2, 2021, of The Himalayan Times.
