The government has decided to deploy the Nepal Army in certain Covid-19-hit zones. The Army will also assist the government entities in managing Nepalis who will return from various countries including India, the Persian Gulf and Malaysia, among others, according to a Cabinet minister.

“Today’s Cabinet meeting decided to deploy the Nepal Army in certain Covid-19-hit areas where local governments and administration fall short of controlling the influx of Nepalis from India,” the minister told the Post. “The Army will also assist in building isolation and quarantine facilities in bordering areas while helping other security agencies maintain law and order as per the request from the local administrations.”

The deployment will be made with immediate effect, according to officials.

Before the Cabinet meeting, a meeting of the National Security Council was held at Baulatar where a decision to recommend Army’s deployment was taken.

The high-level Covid Crisis Management Centre had also recommended that the government use the Nepal Army for the management of Nepalis returning from the Gulf and other countries after some days.

Brigederial General Bigyan Dev Pandey, spokesperson for the Nepal Army, said he had not seen the Cabinet decision but the defence force had been intimated about its possible role in the evacuation of Nepalis and assisting civilian entities in their fight against Covid-19

“ Some Provinces, local administrations and governments have already written to the central government asking for the Army’s role in containing the influx of Nepalis from India,” said Pandey.

The government is planning to bring back at least 25,000 Nepalis from India as well as various other countries.

According to the government plan, after bringing them back, they will be kept in quarantine in Kathmandu or any other designated quarantine facilities in the districts they belong to.

Those who want to live in hotel quarantine facilities, the concerned returnees have to pay. Similarly, over 300,000 people from India are expected to enter the country through 20 border points.