Gandaki Province
Gandaki province prepares for coronavirus pandemic; closes all international and domestic border effective Tuesday onwards
All districts take measures to control the spread of coronavirus including banning public transport.Pratikshya Kafle
The Gandaki provincial government has shut down all overland border crossings with India and China to stem the possible spread of novel coronavirus.
The province shares borders with India from Tribeni in Nawalpur, and Korala and Ruila Bhanjyang in China. The borders with China, however, are not in regular operation.
Movement of people between the provinces has also been restricted for a week starting Tuesday.
On Monday, a meeting attended by Chief Minister Prithvi Subba Gurung decided to close all international and provincial borders as a measure to stop the possible spread of coronavirus, which causes Covid-19.
Gurung, who is also the coordinator of the Corona Infection Prevention, Control and Management Committee, told the meeting the border restrictions could be extended if needed.
The border restrictions, however, will not apply to the vehicles transporting daily essentials, including food and medicines.
The committee has also decided to ban all public transportation in Pokhara from Tuesday onwards.
Dr Binodbandu Sharma of the Province Health Directorate said to help people for medical emergencies during the restrictions period, the directorate has set up helplines (061-524074 and 1115).
“We have been operating emergency services from all 11 district hospitals,” Sharma said. “We are also preparing to set up a 60-bed quarantine facility and a 110-bed isolation ward for coronavirus patients.”
Meanwhile, the concerned local administrations in the province are also taking steps to control the possible spread of coronavirus.
In Gorkha, the district hospital has started to provide consultation service to the patients from the hospital’s telephone line and has started 24-hour emergency service.
In Parbat, the administration has banned the movement of public vehicles from Monday afternoon.
In Nawalparasi (East), movement of people through the Gandak Barrage, which also serves as a crossing between the district and the state of Bihar in India, has been closed from Monday.
(Correspondents from Myagdi, Gorkha, Nawalparasi (East), Parbat and Baglung contributed reporting)