Districts, local levels take initiation to contain COVID-19 spread
– Narayan Dhungana
Kathmandu, Aug 7 : The districts and local levels, following the government rights and exercising the granted rights by laws, have increased roles for containing the further spread of coronavirus (COVID-19).
It may be noted that the District Crisis Management Center has been granted the rights to take preventive measures against the virus (SARS Cov-2) by assessing the situation within the given territory. Local levels also hold the right to take necessary decisions against the pandemic and implement them.
According to the Ministry of Home Affairs, 18 districts have implemented measures against the virus through internal decisions.
The Lahan municipality has enforced a nine-day prohibitory order beginning from today. An emergency meeting of the municipality took a decision to this regard while the Mirchaiya municipality has gone in lockdown since Thursday.
Nuwakot district has banned the operation of public vehicles district-wise beginning from today until a next decision. Vehicles except for the most essential services and acquiring permission are not allowed to enter the district.
The District COVID-19 Management Center here has decided to set up help desks at all border points. Chief District Officer Jhankanath Dhakal said they are primarily focused on controlling people from forming and joining a crowd. “ We have adopted a middle way as it neither a complete lockdown nor a total freedom for people’s movement as it has been realized the district being closer to the central capital Kathmandu is under the risk of infection.’’
People are expected to stay where they are doing their business, the ongoing anti-virus measures have not prevented them from keeping economic activities mobile, according to him. As he said, a COVID-19 preventive group has been formed under the leadership of ward chair so as to prevent the virus from spreading to the community level.
As per the Home Ministry updates, Saptari, Dhanusha, Nuwakot, Banke, Morang, Parsa, Bara, Mahottari, Jhapa, Sunsari, Bajhang, Darchula, Sarlahi and Syangja have issued prohibitory order.
Meanwhile, five days’ restriction is to be imposed in Bardiya district in view of the growing risk of infection after the virus infection in the community level has started increasing in the neighbouring Banke district. A meeting held under the chair of Chief District Officer Leeladhar Adhikari on Thursday decided to impose restriction for five days beginning for 6:00 am of August 9, the District Administration Office said.
According to the Home Ministry, prohibitory order has been issued at Marma rural municipality of Darchula, Birtamod and Arjundhara municipalities of Jhapa, Biratnagar metropolitan city of Morang, Baraha Kshetra municipality-6, 7 and 8 of Sunsari, Jaleshwor municipality and Mahottari rural municipality of Mahottari, Janakpurdham sub-metropolitan city and Kshireshwornath municipality of Dhanusha and Thalara rural municipality-5 and Kedarseu rural municipality-6 and 7 of Bajhang.
Similarly, other districts and local levels have been making different decision and implementing it. The districts which have not issued prohibitory order have now been involved to control crowd by adopting additional safety measures.
Parsa district had issued prohibitory order only in Birgunj Metropolitan City on July 25 while it was issued across the district from August 3 after the cases of coronavirus infection increased in the district all of sudden, said Assistant Chief District Officer, Lalit Kumar Basnet. Entry of people in Kathmandu Valley has been made strict and odd and even number system has been implemented.
Chief District Officer of Kathmandu, Janakraj Dahal, said that they have started taking action against those not wearing mask and not carrying out activities as per health criteria. He added that the DAO has also warned of closing the business houses if health criteria is not found followed there.
Issuing a notice, the Home Ministry on August 5 had already directed the District Administration Office of all 77 districts to control coronavirus infection and not to allow gatherings. Similarly, odd even number system has been implemented in urban areas of districts where there are more than 200 coronavirus cases.
