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Following Cabinet’s decision to close borders, hundreds of Nepalis faced a long day on Monday at the borders

Most of the returnees claimed of having no information about the restriction imposed on crossing into Nepal since most of them had travelled a long distance to reach various border points. Following Cabinet’s decision to close borders, hundreds of Nepalis faced a long day on Monday at the borders

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Parbat Portel

Published at : March 23, 2020

Updated at : March 23, 2020 21:46

Kakadvitta

On Monday, hundreds of Nepalis, returning home from various parts of India, waited on the other side of the Mechi bridge in Kakadbhitta to be allowed to enter Nepal. They protested against the government’s decision to seal all borders effective Monday onwards.

However, by late evening, Province 1 Chief Minister Sherdhan Rai directed the local government and administration to allow the Nepalis to enter Nepal. Rai said that he has informed the federal government about the entry of Nepali passengers from India from the border point.

“The people who entered the country through the Kakadbhitta border have been advised by the local administration to observe self-isolation for seven days,” said Deputy Superintendent of Police Rajendra Pokhrel of Area Police Office, Kakadbhitta.

A Cabinet meeting on Sunday had decided to close down all borders with India and China for a week, effective from 10am Monday as a precaution against the spread of Covid-19.

Despite the border closure, the Indian border forces had allowed nearly 300 Nepalis to cross the Mechi bridge on Monday. When the incoming Nepalis— a majority of whom were students and migrant workers— were stopped by the border security forces in Kakadbhitta, the situation turned tense. They were finally allowed in at the instruction of Chief Minister Rai.

DSP Rajendra Pokhrel of the Area Police Office said the authorities concerned have not taken any steps to quarantine the people entering the country amid coronavirus outbreak.

“They should have stayed in quarantine in India itself. But now that they are here, they should be quarantined. Self-isolation alone is not going to work,” Pokhrel said.

In western Nepal, along the Sunauli border, a large number of Nepali workers returning from Indian cities like Kanpur, Gorakhpur, Benaras, Mumbai, Chennai, New Delhi, among others, were also stopped for nearly eight hours before they were finally allowed to enter.

Most of the returnees claimed that they did not know about the travel restrictions since they had travelled a long distance across India to reach Sunauli.

“The authorities can run a medical check on us. Put us in quarantine if necessary. But they can’t keep us here at the border,” said Tek Bahadur Nepali, who was returning from Mumbai.

Nepali and the others were allowed to enter the country at around 6pm.

Chief District Officer of Rupandehi Mahadev Pantha said the details of incoming Nepalis were recorded before letting them in the country.

"As we don't have a facility to quarantine all of them, we have recorded their details and allowed them entry on humanitarian ground. The details will be sent to the concerned district administration offices so that every individual could be traced if needed," Pantha said.

Meanwhile, the government’s decision to build an isolation ward in Butwal, 25-km from Nepal-India border, is yet to come to fruition.

Eateries and local shops along the border were also closed on Monday leaving most returnees without basic provisions.

Although public movement has been prohibited along the Sunauli border, the import of goods has continued. Before the border seal went into effect, 867 had entered Nepal via Sunali border.

A group of 20 Nepalis on their way to Nepal via Belhi in Saptari also faced similar confusion as they too were stopped at the Belhi customs point in Tilathi Koiladi Rural Municipality. They were returning from Delhi, Haryana and Punjab in India.

(Madhav Dhungana from Bhairawaha and Abdesh Kumar Jha from Saptari contributed reporting)

Frequently asked questions about the coronavirus outbreak

UPDATED as of September 22, 2020

What is Covid-19?
Covid-19, short for coronavirus disease, is an illness caused by the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, short for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2. Common symptoms of the disease include fever, dry cough, fatigue, shortness of breath and breathing difficulties. In severe cases, the infection can cause pneumonia, severe acute respiratory syndrome, kidney failure and even death.

How contagious is Covid-19?
Covid-19 can spread easily from person to person, especially in enclosed spaces. The virus can travel through the air in respiratory droplets produced when a sick person breathes, talks, coughs or sneezes. As the virus can also survive on plastic and steel surfaces for up to 72 hours and on cardboard for up to 24 hours, any contact with such surfaces can also spread the virus. Symptoms take between two to 14 days to appear, during which time the carrier is believed to be contagious.

Where did the virus come from?
The virus was first identified in Wuhan, China in late December. The coronavirus is a large family of viruses that is responsible for everything from the common cold to Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS). After an initial outbreak in Wuhan that spread across Hubei province, eventually infecting over 80,000 and killing more than 3,000, new infection rates in mainland China have dropped. However, the disease has since spread across the world at an alarming rate.

What is the current status of Covid-19?

The World Health Organisation has called the ongoing outbreak a “pandemic” and urged countries across the world to take precautionary measures. Covid-19 has spread to 213 countries and territories around the world and infected more than 31,405,983 people with 967,505 deaths and 22,990,260 recoveries. In South Asia, India has reported the highest number of infections at 5,557,573 with 88,943 deaths. While Pakistan has reported 306,304 confirmed cases with 6,420 deaths. Nepal has so far reported 65,276 cases with 427 deaths.

How dangerous is the disease?

The mortality rate for Covid-19 is estimated to be 3.6 percent, but new studies have put the rate slightly higher at 5.7 percent. Although Covid-19 is not too dangerous to young healthy people, older individuals and those with immune-compromised systems are at greater risk of death. People with chronic medical conditions like heart disease, diabetes and lung disease, or those who’ve recently undergone serious medical procedures, are also at risk.

How do I keep myself safe?
The WHO advises that the most important thing you can do is wash your hands frequently with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or use hand sanitizers with at least 60 percent alcohol content. Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unclean hands. Clean and disinfect frequently used surfaces like your computers and phones. Avoid large crowds of people. Seek medical attention if symptoms persist for longer than a few days.

Is it time to panic?

No. The government has imposed a lockdown to limit the spread of the virus. There is no need to begin stockpiling food, cooking gas or hand sanitizers. However, it is always prudent to take sensible precautions like the ones identified above.