Despite the ongoing nationwide lockdown, movement of people across the country hasn’t stopped. There have been reports of people using proxy routes to cross the Nepal-India border. In Lamjung, it’s the loaded trucks that are ferrying in people from other districts.
This week, nine individuals arrived in Besisahar from India and Birgunj on trucks, according to locals. The individuals, however, deny that they came from India.
“Trucks carrying vegetables and essential goods are found to have carried people into the district,” Rajesh Thapa, chair of Lamjung Chamber of Commerce, said. “Even ambulances are illicitly carrying passengers.”
According to Pitambar Saru, chief administration officer at Kwhlosothar Rural Municipality, 23 individuals are currently quarantined across various facilities in the district.
“The quarantined individuals are those who recently entered the district during the lockdown,” he said. “The security personnel express ignorance about their arrival.”
Of the 23 quarantined individuals, 20 had come from Pokhara, two from Besisahar and one from Kathmandu after the country enforced the nationwide lockdown.
On Tuesday, the chamber of commerce filed a letter of concern to the chief district officer asking to restrict the entry of vehicles from outside the district.
CDO Lakshman Bahadur Khadka said he has been made aware of the illicit movement of people from outside the district and has directed the police to control it.
“We have received information regarding trucks and ambulances illicitly carrying passengers into Lamjung,” he said. “Extra measures of monitoring will be in place soon.”
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.
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