-Narayan Dhungana

The government has urged the general public to remain united against the potential risks stemming from COVID-19.

Noting that there is possible risk of outbreak of novel coronavirus, the government underlined the need of collective efforts to fight against the global pandemic.

Drawing a conclusion that the self-home quarantine should be made more effective, the government has made a public appeal calling for support from all sides in the difficult time.

The Home Ministry has also asked one and all to comply with the decisions made by the High-Level Corona Prevention and Control Coordination Committee headed by Deputy Prime Minster and Minister for Defense Iswor Pokharel in different dates to overcome the risks.

"As Nepal also needs to place high alert measures to save off pandemic the stakeholders concerned are implementing the decisions. We need to cautiously comply with the government decisions to prevent possible outbreak of coronavirus disease considering the statement of World Health Organization, spreading of virus in neighbouring countries and open border systems", said the Home Ministry sources.

Making public a 19-point decision on Sunday evening, the Ministry has also called for all to collaborate in the fight against possible COVID threats.

In the statement issued by Home Ministry Spokesperson Kedar Nath Sharma, the passenger-ferrying public transport operators were asked to dis-infect their vehicles.

The ministry has also warned tough action against those involved in creating artificial shortage of consumptive goods, black-marketeering and mixing of sub-standard stuffs.

The ministry also asked the operators of hotel, motel, lodge, restaurant, bar and shopping mall to arrange measurement of fever and health examination of people before entrance.

In order to check the possible outbreak the government also has toughened securities along the border with effective arrangement of health examination of returnees at border area.

Though the services except most essential ones have been closed the government has also asked its employees not to stay on leave, the home ministry sources added.

Also the ministry has directed the police administration to monitor the implementation of the government decisions and take actions if not found enforced.

Earlier, the government has informed that the decisions of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Executive Committee headed by Home Minster Ram Bahadur Thapa have been on implementation and also urged the sides concerned to not disseminate misleading and baseless information through social networking sites.