INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
Kathmandu, March 24
Kathmandu valley wore a deserted look today as the government imposed a week-long lockdown nationwide to curb the spread
of novel coronavirus.
The government had called on the people to go on self-imposed quarantine from 6:00am today to 6:00am on March 31
as part of its slew of preventive measures against the global pandemic
Vehicles except ambulances, hearses, police vans and those hauling essential supplies stayed off the road, while market-places, industries
and factories remained shut as they exercised social distancing parameters prescribed by the government, in conformance with the guidelines
of World Health Organisation.
People largely stayed indoors and spent quality time with family, respecting the government call for their
support to fight the pandemic
Eerie silence prevailed in public thoroughfares and residential areas
&I chose to stay home and will keep exercising social distancing until further notice from the government because a small negligence on part
of an individual could lead to wider spread of COVID-19
I take this restriction very positively,& said Rambabu Ghimire, 76, of Chabahil, Kathmandu
He is also a regular morning walker, but has avoided it amid the lockdown put in place to encourage people to practice social distancing and
good hand hygiene.
A woman and her dog walk on the empty road after the government imposed a nationwide lockdown for a week in an effort to
control the possible spread of COVID-19 after Nepal confirmed the second case of a 19-year-old Nepali student, who had returned from France
via Qatar, in Kathmandu, on Tuesday, March 24, 2020
Photo/Skanda Gautam/THT
Gates of temples, shrines and mosques also were closed due to nationwide stayat-home order issued by the
government.
Restaurants and retail shops except pharmacies also pulled down their shutters.
The lockdown was, however, a huge challenge for
thousands of street vendors and daily wage workers as they were compelled to halt their small business.
Kajiram Thapa, a greengrocer in
Gaushala, said coronavirus rendered a big blow to his family
&Now, my family of five will have to survive on my meagre savings
I don&t know how long it will last,& he lamented.
Tripureshwor wears deserted look on the first day of week-long nationwide lockdown amid
coronavirus crisis, in Kathmandu, on Tuesday, March 24, 2020
Photo: Mausam Shah Nepali/THT
Police said some of the people, who stepped out of their homes unnecessarily, were advised to abide by the
However, no one was arrested merely for loitering around the city
Nepal Police had deployed around 9,000 personnel across the country to implement the lockdown order
Deputy Inspector General Bishwo Raj Pokharel, chief of Metropolitan Police Office, Ranipokhari, said the lockdown in the valley was a
&It is highly appreciable that public fully respected the government order to stay home, as we did not record any untoward incident,& he
said.
DIG Pokharel also said some confusions prevailed whether groceries had been allowed to operate or not
&Although the government has called for a total lockdown, we did not force groceries to close their business to ensure smooth supply of
essential goods,& he said
Senior Superintendent of Police Bhim Prasad Dahal, chief of Metropolitan Traffic Police Division also said the public supported today
No action were taken against any vehicle today.
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