Local governments tasked with handing out specified quantities of relief materials as they are closest to the people.

The global economy is bracing for a recession as the coronavirus crisis shifts to the United States and Europe.

Economists question the government’s decision to ask landlords to provide a month's rent exemption to informal sector workers, who live in small houses that are not usually registered for rental tax.

Nepal Rastra Bank has rescheduled loan repayments and will be prioritising refinance facilities for small-and medium-scale industries.

In an attempt to relieve confusion, the Ministry of Supplies has asked all shops selling food, vegetables, milk, water, oil, gas and the like to remain open.

Tourism industry is the only sector that needs the government’s support so far.

The government has yet to respond to non-government organisations’ offer of help as the virus threat grows.

The government’s decisions are aimed at limiting the spread of Covid-19, which has now invaded over 170 countries and killed more than 8,000 people.

Ensuring supply of essentials, controlling prices, slashing customs duty on raw materials and rescheduling loans are some of the recommended actions.

All passengers, including Nepalis, flying in from Europe, the UK, West Asia, and the Gulf will not be allowed into the country until April 15.

Perum Peruri quoted a price of $10.47 million—the lowest among four bidders, according to the Inland Revenue Department.

While no foreign investors have showed up in recent past, both imports and exports have slowed, officials say.

The hardest hit sectors of the economy are tourism and aviation, which were already reeling from reduced number of visitors and passengers due to the Covid-19 outbreak.

Representatives of non-government organisations say they welcome the Social Welfare Council’s move so long as it is not aimed at controlling them.

The amount was nearly double of what they spent in the previous fiscal year, a Finance Ministry report shows.