Here are some of the big stories from today's The Kathmandu Post.

With most shops closed in the lockdown, concerns rise about daily essentials

On the first day of the nationwide lockdown, Pabitra Bajracharya, proprietor of Right Mart, a retail shop, was unable to do business because he could not get to his shop in Swayambhu from his home at New Road’s Ombahal, as both private and public vehicles were prohibited from running.

“Many retailers are confused about whether they can open up shop so they didn’t open on Tuesday,” said Bajracharya, who is also the president of the Nepal Retailers' Association. “Many retail shops also could not open because their shops were far away from their residences.”

Read the full story here. 

Empty streets and palpable fear as Nepal goes into lockdown

In Kathmandu Valley, the first day of the weeklong nation-wide lockdown was bright and sunny, with birds chirping in the balmy spring weather. The streets, however, were eerily empty, with no traffic and no pedestrians. The only vehicles were the occasional ambulance, water tankers and security vehicles.

From department stores, restaurants and shopping complexes to grocery stores and tea shops, all remained closed as the government-mandated nationwide lockdown, announced on Monday, came into effect.

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Universities and schools ready to provide rooms for quarantine facilities

Universities and schools have announced their willingness to allow authorities to use their rooms for quarantine facilities in view of a possible outbreak of Covid-19.

School and college hostels in the Valley have been vacated to house those suspected to have contracted the disease, which has already killed thousands of people around the world.

This came after a task force on construction and management of quarantine led by Minister for Tourism and Civil Aviation Yogesh Bhattarai requested schools and universities to provide rooms if and when they are needed.

Read the full story here. 

Nepalis stranded at border allowed to return home only on Tuesday

In view of the large number of Nepalis stranded on the border with India following the nationwide lockdown, the government decided to allow citizens to return home only on Tuesday.

But the returnees will have to undergo health screening and remain in quarantine for 14 days, the high-level committee for the prevention and control of COVID-19, led by Deputy Prime Minister Ishwar Pokhrel decided on Tuesday.

Read the full story here. 

Panic buying forces Bajhang Salt Trading depot to stop the sale of salt

On Sunday, the Salt Trading Corporation’s distribution centre in Chainpur saw over 700 anxious buyers. Following the government’s decision on Sunday to shut down borders with India and China, many in rural Bajhang scrambled to secure essential supplies, fearing that there would be a shortage in the market, officials at the depo said.

The massive influx of buyers was too much for the depo’s officials, and hence, the District Administration Office ordered the distribution centre to halt the sale of salt for the time being. People coming from faraway villages returned home empty-handed.

Read the full story here.