Citing the new variant of coronavirus has been spreading very fast the Covid-19 Crisis Management Centre has decided to tighten the present restrictions at places where prohibitory orders have been imposed.

The meeting of the Centre held Friday has decided to shut all the border points with India except 13 of the 35 entry points and develop holding centres at the entry points from where people enter Nepal.

“We have decided to ensure that the restrictions are strictly followed,” said Health Minister Hridayesh Tripathi, a member of the Centre. “Only 13 of the 35 entry points will remain open.”

This decision has come amidst the exponential increase in spread of the coronavirus infections in India crossing the 350,000 mark every day while a large number of Nepalis working there have been returning home.

The government has already decided to ban the entry of foreigners to Nepal via road but those coming from flights should stay in the hotel quarantine for 10 days.

The entry points from where Nepalis can enter are Kakarvitta, Jogbani, Pashupatinagar, Bhittamod, Gaur, Birgunj, Belahiya, Krishnanagar, Jamunah, Jhulaghat, Kolughat, Gauriphanta and Gaddachauki.

According to Foreign Minister Pradeep Gyawali, eight holding centres are under construction at major entry points of the seven provinces and one at Kathmandu.

“We have also recommended the Cabinet to give the responsibilities to monitor the Covid-19 situation in the seven provinces to seven different ministers,” Gyawali told the Post. “The Cabinet will decide about the proposal.”

The meeting has also decided to run the government offices and banks and financial institutions with only one-fourth of their total strength, halt all the private construction works and people working at the public construction sites and factories should be housed within their respective sites.

Minister Tripathi said the decisions of the CCMC will be implemented as soon as the Cabinet endorses them.