Odd-even rule for public transportation lifted

After the public outcry, the three District Administration Offices (DAOs) in Kathmandu Valley today decided to lift the odd-even rule for public transportation.

A meeting of the chief district officers (CDOs) of Kathmandu, Lalitpur and Bhaktapur districts held today, but decided to continue the rule in case of taxis and all kinds of private vehicles.

The valley administration has tried to limit the number of public transportation including buses, microbuses and tempos to check the spread of third wave of Covid-19. But the less number of public transportation forced the public to travel in crowed situation, spreading the Corona virus.

The Covid-19 Crisis Management Coordination Committee (CCMCC) also recommended the administration to remove the odd-even rule in case of public transportation including buses, microbuses and tempos.

Like the public health experts, the CCMC also concluded that the implementation of odd-even rule has only increased risk of further transmission of Covid-19 as most  public transportation were seen overcrowded after the odd-even rule was enforced to contain further spread of Covid-19.

The CCMCC meeting today also recommended the government to continue the closure of schools and colleges, and continue with virtual classes till mid- February. Earlier, the CCMC meeting had decided to suspend physical classes in schools and colleges till January end only.

Government mulls smart lockdown

As Nepal witnessed a sharp spike in the number of Covid-19 cases in recent days, the government is mulling to enforce a smart lockdown, apart from international border closure and suspension all international flights.

A Covid-19 Crisis Management Committee (CCMC) meeting held today discussed on possibilities of closing the international border and suspending international flights to and from Nepal in case of sharp rise in the number of Covid-19 cases.

"As the number of Covid-19 cases has continued to increase, the government may have to close the international border and suspend international flights as a precaution to contain further spread of the Covid-19 cases," confirmed a senior government official. "Though, the government is yet closely watching the situation and has not decided yet, the CCMC meeting decided to tighten cross-border movement and keep Covid-19 affected people in quarantines and holding centers,| he said, adding that the meeting today decided to increase the capacity of holding centers. "The meeting also decided to immediately complete the under-construction holding centers and arrange necessary budget."

Due to the severity of the Covid-19 cases, all the seven provinces are building holding centers that can accommodate at least 1,000 people at a time.

The next meeting will decide on smart lockdown, if the Covid-19 cases continue to rise. According to the Health Ministry, a total of 24 new cases of Omicron variant of Covid-19 has been confirmed today. Likewise, the number of new cases of Covid-19 is also increasing sharply as Friday alone recorded some 968 new cases, almost double from 540 a day earlier. Wednesday witnessed only 435 new cases of Covid-19.

The CCMC meeting, chaired by the prime minister Sher Bahadur Deuba, today also discussed closing cinema halls and schools, and prohibiting mass gatherings, though, the government is expanding the scope of Covid-19 tests across the country.

Addressing the Directorate Committee of CCMC meeting today, the prime minister also directed all government agencies to take necessary precautions to help contain further spread of Covid-19 cases. 

Smart Lock down on cards

The government is mulling a smart lockdown from next week.

Covid-19 Crisis Management Centre (CCMC) is planning a 'smart lockdown', confirmed the deputy secretary and information officer at the CCMC, the government body responsible for Covid-19 containment.

Though, the Valley districts are planning to relax the prohibitory orders from next week, the CCMC is planning to implement 'smart lockdowns' across the country, he said, explaining that the 'smart lockdown' is a modality that evaluate the conditions of a particular place and ease or strict according to the situation. "We are analysing the situation of every individual district."

But its easier than done because the restrictions on movement is difficult to monitor also due to social behaviour and closeness of the places.

The country could not close or tighten the porous border with India when the second wave of Covid-19 was rife in the southern border. The movement of people along the 1,800-km long porous border remains unregulated as thousands cross over to each other’s territory every day.

As the government failed to break the chain of coronavirus transmission by identifying the infected areas, the second wave of the covid-19 struck the country. The mismanagement of the government cost the country some 8,000 lives.

But the Valley administrations is planning to allow services and activities though with restrictions in order to gradually normalise the daily life and business activities, designating separate days in the week for running different shops and stores. According to the new rule, several shops that were earlier not allowed to operate will be allowed to open and conduct business systematically, while following the safety protocol.

Nepal extends international flights suspension until May 31

 As the number of death caused by Covid-19 is scaling new high everyday, Nepal has decided to extend the suspension of international commercial flights to and from Kathmandu by another 17 days.

The flight suspension, which was due to expire on May 14,  will remain in place until May 31 midnight, confirmed Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN).

But two flights a week on Kathmandu-New Delhi route will remain operational as usual under the Air Bubble Arrangement between two countries, a press note issued by the CAAN reads, adding that the Kathmandu-New Delhi flights will see one flight each by Nepal Airlines and Air India.

The CAAN, in its press note, also directed the airlines companies not to open new booking to and from Nepal until further notice. "Airlines are informed to facilitate refunding of air tickets or extension of travel date as required by passengers,” the press note reads, adding that Nepal had suspended all international flights except two flights per week from New Delhi under the air bubble agreement, from May 6 midnight till May 14. Nepal decided to halt all domestic flights from May 3 midnight and all international flights from May 7 midnight until May 14 to check the rapidly growing spread of the Covid-19.

The cabinet had decided to halt all domestic flights from the May 3 midnight as recommended by the Crisis Management Centre (CCMC) but this time, the government has not yet decided to either open or keep closed the domestic flights.

China to provide 20,000 oxygen cylinders, 400 to come on Tuesday

 The government is bringing 400 empty oxygen cylinders from China through air Monday.

According to a press not issued by deputy prime minister Ishwar Pokhrel, a meeting of the Covid -19 Crisis Management Centre (CCMC) held Friday, under the chair of its coordinator and deputy prime minister Ishwar Pokhrel, decided to bring 400 cylinders, out of 20,000, in the first phase, from China.

Nepal Airlines Corporation's (NAC) wide body aircraft will leave for China on May 10 to bring the cylinders, the press note reads, adding that China has decided to provide 20,000 empty oxygen cylinders to Nepal as the country is struggling with shortage of oxygen cylinder due to massive spread of second wave of Covid-19. The government has requested China to provide the oxygen cylinder.

Of the agreed assistance, some 2,000 cylinders will be brought by air and remaining 18,000 will be brought via land route, the press note reads.

A wide-body aircraft of Nepal Airlines Corporation (NAC) is flying to Beijing, China on Monday to bring some health equipment and oxygen cylinders, confirmed the national flag carrier. "The wide-body A 330 of the NAC will fly to Beijing to get oxygen and ventilators provided on a grant by China," the NAC said, adding that it will be bringing 400 units of oxygen cylinders and 20 units of ventilators. "The flight is scheduled to take off for Beijing at 11:30 am on Monday and will arrive at Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) at 2:35 om on Tuesday."

CCMC recommends resumption of cross-border transportation between Nepal and India

 The Covid-19 Crisis Management Centre (CCMC) has recommended the government to resume cross-border transportation between Nepal and India.

A meeting of the CCMC held at the Office of the Prime Minister's Office and council of ministers (OPMCM) in Singha Durbar today decided to recommend the resuming of cross-border transportation bwteen Nepal and India, confirmed secretary at the CCMC Khaga Raj Baral.

"The CCMC meeting has decided to recommend to the cabinet to resume cross-border transportation between Nepal and India via various 12 routes," He said, adding that passengers travelling via land routes should follow the coronavirus protocols and produce a negative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test report conducted 72 hours before their journey. 

In March last year, the government has decided to suspend cross-border movement between Nepal and India as part of its measures to contain the spread of the coronavirus. 

Though, the air services between the two neighbours -- closed after last March  -- has already been resumed, the cross-border transportation has not yet resumed.

Schools to reopen

 The schools across the country that remained closed for more than nine months due to the Covid-19 wil be reopened soon.

The Covid-19 Crisis Management Committee (CCMC) today decided to let schools, gyms and cinema halls resume their services. However, the CCMC has given the authority of closing these institutions, if necessary, to the District Covid-19 Management Committee.

With the new decision, the schools, gyms and cinema halls are now free to open again after more than nine months. But they have to adopt appropriate Covid-19 safety protocols, the CCMC decided.

Mayors recommend government to impose lockdown in Kathmandu Valley, again

 The Valley Municipal Forum (VMF) today recommended to impose a strict lockdown in the Kathmandu Valley to contain the rising Covid-19 cases as the festivals will see crowd.

The Forum has advised the government to impose the third phase of lockdown in the Valley after Tihar and Chhath festivals as the Covid-19 cases are making new records every day, according to VMF.

During a meeting with the Covid-19 Crisis Management Center (CCMC) today, the Forum concluded that the government needs to impose a strict lockdown to break the chain of transmission in the Valley.

“It is very necessary for the government to break the transmission chain,” the Forum concluded, advising the government to increase testing and make contact tracing effective, during the lockdown period. 

Remittance surges by 23 per cent in first month of current fiscal year

 Contrary to the expectation, the remittance inflow has increased significantly in the first month of the current fiscal year, according to the macroeconomic report – released by the central bank – today.

Remittance inflows to Nepal has increased by a surprising 23 per cent to Rs 92.71 billion compared to 2 per cent in the same month of the last fiscal year. 

In the last fiscal year, the remittance inflow decreased by a marginal 0.5 per cent in the last fiscal year that ended mid-July due to coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic that has affected the global economy.

According to the Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB) macroeconomic report, in the first month – from mid-July to mid-August – of the current fiscal year 2020-21, Nepal received Rs 92.71 billion in remittance earnings. 

 Nepali migrant workers sent home Rs 875.03 billion in the last fiscal year, which was 0.5 per cent less than a fiscal year ago due to coronavirus (Covid-19) that has left majority of the migrant workers in the labour destinations jobless.

However, Nepal received an all-time high remittance of Rs 100.16 billion in the last month of the fiscal year – mid-June to mid-July – that boosted the overall remittance earnings, though the coronavirus wreaking havoc on the global economy was expected to hit the remittances inflow to Nepal significantly.

The central bank had – after the country had imposed lockdown on March 24 – projected a drop of over 15 per cent in remittance inflow in the last fiscal year 2019-20 whereas the World Bank also had projected remittances to go down by 14 per cent. Likewise, the Central Bureau of Statistics (CBS) had also projected a reduction of Rs 163 billion – or over 18 per cent – in remittance inflow. But the country has witnessed only 0.5 per cent drop in the last fiscal year, whereas the first month of the current fiscal year also recorded a whopping 23 per cent gain in the remittance inflow.

The reduction of informal trade, hundi and other illegal channels – due to lockdown and subsequently the restrictive orders of the chief district officers – have helped remittance come through formal channels, according to the bankers. Likewise, the returnees have also brought back cash in recent months, while they used to splurge on gifts and other personal items earlier.

According to the Covid-19 Crisis Management Centre (CCMC), as of September 25, more than 76,000 stranded Nepalis have been brought home, most of them from labour destinations, whereas the number of Nepali migrant workers leaving for the labour destinations has also decreased. “The number of Nepali workers – institutional and individual-new and legalised – taking approval for foreign employment decreased by 99.2 per cent against the decrease by 19 per cent in the same period of the last fiscal year, according to the central bank, adding that the number of Nepali workers – renew entry – taking approval for foreign employment also decreased by 80 per cent in the first month of the current fiscal year. “In US Dollar terms, remittance inflows increased by 14.5 per cent compared to an increase of 0.7 per cent in the same period of the last fiscal year.”

IOM assists 63 Nepali migrants with voluntary return from Cyprus

 The International Organisation for Migration (IOM) in Nepal and Cyprus, with support from the government of Republic of Cyprus, and in coordination with the government of Nepal, organised the voluntary return of 63 Nepali nationals. The migrants landed at the Tribhuvan International airport (TIA) today, according to a press note issued by the IOM in Kathmandu.

The mixed group of men and women were mainly students no longer able to pay college fees in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic, it reads, adding that the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic on the national economy and human mobility as well as travel restrictions compelled many migrants to turn to IOM for daily subsistence and support to voluntarily return to their countries.

“We are glad to extend our support to Nepali migrants in need,” IOM Nepal Chief of Mission Lorena Lando said, adding that an IOM Nepal team was present at the airport to assist them through immigration in coordination with the country’s Covid-19 Crisis Management Centre (CCMC) and other relevant authorities.

Prior to their departure, all returnees were tested for Covid-19. On flight day, IOM Cyprus staff members assisted the migrants with all airport procedures and one-time cash assistance was given to each as a contribution to their initial expenses upon arrival and immediate needs, chiefly onward travel to their home communities, it adds.

Nepal government is ready to receive them and apply all necessary Covid-19 measures as applicable in the country. “Following the migrants’ registration with IOM to voluntarily return – and thanks to the cooperation with government authorities in Cyprus and Nepal – everyone was ready to help the stranded migrants to voluntarily return to their homes,” said head of Office for IOM Cyprus Natasa Xenophontos Koudouna.

During the flight, all passengers were required to wear masks and gloves. Upon arrival in Kathmandu, information material was distributed, explaining Covid-19 measures, reintegration support and how to contact IOM and the respective country offices. IOM Nepal claimed that it has been regularly assisting vulnerable Nepali migrants for their return and reintegration ever since IOM was established in the country in 2007.

Flights, long-haul transport not to resume until September 1

The government has postponed the resumption of flights, and long-haul transportation for a month.

“A cabinet meeting today has decided to put off August 17 resumption of all flights till the September 1,” according to a minister. “The cabinet meeting has decided that domestic and international flights, long-haul transportation service, and other services that were earlier scheduled to resume on August 17 will remain suspended till September 1,” he confirmed, adding that the Crisis Management Centre (CMC) had recommended the government to postpone resumption of their operations by a fortnight, but the government decided it to postpone them by a month. “The decision has been taken in view of the steady rise in number of Covid-19 cases after the easing of the lockdown.”

The cabinet meeting – held at the Prime Minister's official residence in Baluwatar – has also decided to tighten the movement across the border crossing points due to the rise in number of infections across the border. “The government has fixed 10 border points for crossing from existing 20 to check the unwanted inflow,” he added.

The CCMC meeting on Sunday had decided to recommend to the government not to immediately resume aviation services and long-distance public transport as announced earlier to resume these services from August 17.

The government had partially lifted the lockdown 120 days after it was first imposed on March 24 to contain the spread of coronavirus (Covid-19). While lifting the lockdown – on July 20 – the government had announced to resume long-distance public transportation services, domestic and international flights, training sessions and preliminary stages of international games, student admission, academic and other examinations from August 17. The government had lifted the four-month long lockdown from July 21.

On March 20, the government had banned all passengers – including Nepalis, from entering the country from the European Union territories, including the United Kingdom, West Asia, Gulf countries and countries like Iran, Turkey, Malaysia, South Korea and Japan – four days ago, imposing a nationwide lockdown to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.

The cabinet meeting also decided to allow factories and business enterprises to resume their operation only after they fulfill health guidelines and develop separate quarantine facilities for their workers,” he informed.

With 338 new cases of coronavirus recorded in the past 24 hours across the country, Nepal's Covid-19 tally has risen to 23,310 today. A total of 79 individuals have succumbed to this disease so far.

The recent days have witnessed rising number of Covid-19 cases in the Kathmandu Valley. And the government has re-imposed the odd-even rule for both public and private vehicles except those belonging to essential services from Thursday.

Likewise, the Home Ministry has restricted the movement of people between 9 pm and 5 am in the three districts of the Kathmandu Valley to contain the possible spread of Covid-19. All passenger vehicles are also banned from entering the Kathmandu Valley from 7 pm to 7 am.

Government publishes expenditures related to Covid-19 response, Rs 2 billion vanished

After the huge pressure from the youth activists across the country to release the details of the expenses, the government has made public the expenditures related to the prevention, control and treatment of coronavirus infection. But the government expenses – made public today – and the Health Minister Bhanubhakta Dhakal, and secretary at the Office of Prime Minister and Council of Ministers (OPMCM) Narayan Prasad Bidari. Either the expenses made public today is false or the Health Minister Bhanubhakta Dhakal lied in the House of Representatives and secretary Bidari lied to the journalist. Minister Dhakal, addressing the House of Representatives last week said that the governments – from federal to provinces and local – have spent more than Rs 10 billion to fight Covid-19. Likewise, Bidari – on June 3 – told the journalists that the three tier of governments – from federal to provinces and local – have spent Rs 9.87 billion, and some local governments still have not filed for expenses, which could cross Rs 10 billion.
However, the government today – after three days of massive protest by the youth across the country – published the expenses of Rs 8.39 billion, far too less from the announcements of both Dhakal and Bidari. “Either the health minister Dhakal lied in the House or secretary Bidari lied to journalists,” said a leader from opposition party in the parliament Nepal Congress (NC).
The directorate of the Coronavirus Control and Management Committee (CCMC) – led by deputy prime minister and defense minister Ishwar Pokharel – has ordered to publicise the expenses as the protest against the government’s lack of accountability and transparency has angered the youth, who have been protesting since last three days, various places in Kathmandu including in front of Prime Minister’s Official residence Baluwater, and many cities including Pokhara, Chitwan, Birgunj, Biratnagar across the country.
Prime Minister’s press advisor Surya Thapa shared the expenditure details in his tweet today trying to pacify the agitating youths.
According to the document – that has neither any sign nor any official seal – a total of Rs 8.39 billion has been spent so far in Covid-19 response through three tiers of governments. “Of the total, some Rs 5.63 billion has been allocated under various headings including medical/health supplies, health infrastructure, mobilisation of human resources, quarantine, and others,” Thapa claimed, adding that a total of Rs 4.10 billion has been spent through government entities including the Ministry of Health and Population, Defence Ministry, Home Ministry; Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Minsitry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation, Urban Development Ministry, and Ministry of Education, Science and Technology. Interestingly the Defence Ministry has spent Rs 2.40 billion – the highest among the ministries – whereas province-wise, a total of Rs. 2.002 billion has been allocated for the seven provinces under Covid-19 response fund, out of which Rs 1.3 billion has been spent so far. “Out of a total of Rs 4.83 billion allocated for the local governments, some Rs. 2.98 billion has been spent to fight the transmission of coronavirus infection,” Thapa explained.
The CCMC directorate has publicised the details of expenses made by various government agencies, money spent on procuring medical supplies including mobilization of human resources, development of quarantine facilities as well as other health infrastructures and miscellaneous expenses. According to the details, seven federal ministries have so far spent Rs 4.10 billion in response to Covid-19. “While the Ministry of Health and Population has spent Rs 1.58 billion, the Defence Ministry and Ministry of Home Affairs have spent Rs 2.40 billion and Rs 24.58 million, respectively. Similarly, the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation has spent Rs 52 million, the Ministry of Urban Development Rs 26.97 million and the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology Rs 14.2 million so far.
The government has spent Rs 3.90 billion to buy medical supplies, Rs 1.12 billion to develop physical infrastructures, Rs 58.33 million to mobilize human resources, and Rs 135.59 million for developing quarantine facilities. Likewise, Rs 401.59 million was spent on miscellaneous purposes, according to the details.
Bagmati and Sudur Paschim provinces are among those provinces spending the highest amount of money in response to Covid-19. While Province 1 has spent Rs 193.56 million, Province 2 has spent Rs 133.94 million and Bagmati Province, Gandaki Province and Province 5 have so far spent Rs 136.7 million, Rs 154.21 million and Rs 77.93 million, respectively. Likewise, Karnali Province has spent Rs 239.28 million, Sudur Paschim Province has spent Rs 364.87 million so far.
The directorate claimed that this expenses does not include the details of the expenses made by various local bodies across the country. Government officials informed that they have asked all local bodies to furnish details of the expenses made so far in response to Covid-19.
CCMC directorate – issuing a press note yesterday – claimed that funds have been allocated under various headings by the government for the prevention and control of coronavirus infection. “Likewise, the provinces and local levels have been carrying out expenses from their funds in dealing with Covid-19 crisis and the details of which will be made public by the government soon.”

Government lists out hotels available for quarantine

The government has listed some 47 hotels – in the first phase – in Kathmandu Valley, Pokhara, Chitwan and Rupandehi that are available for quarantine service for migrant worker returnees, who will be evacuated from abroad starting from yesterday.
Yesterday, some 26 Nepalis have been evacuated from Myanmar, and some 168 Nepalis from UAE in a chartered flight of Air Arabia. They have been transported to holding centres – managed by the Nepal Army (NA) – before they travel back to home their districts. About 20 holding centres have been set up in Kathmandu for returning Nepalis and are designated province-wise. The passengers will stay there for 2 to 3 days awaiting results of their PCR tests, and will then be taken by bus to their home province for further quarantine and self-isolation. Hotel Association of Nepal (HAN) has offered the hotels for quarantine.
However, there is a confusion as the Kathmandu District Administration Office (DAO) – under the Ministry of Home Affairs – published the list of hotels in Kathmandu Valley available for quarantine service public yesterday, according to the HAN. “We have provided the list of hotels including star, tourist standard and deluxe resorts in the Kathmandu Valley, Chitwan, Rupandehi and Pokhara, but the Kathmandu CDO yesterday published the notice of hotels in Kathmandu Valley only,” complained HAN representatives.
HAN had provided the Kathmandu district office with the preliminary list of hotels willing to provide their space to be used as quarantine facilities. “There is no coordination among the Covid-19 Crisis Management Center (CCMC) that acts as the secretariat of the high-level coordination committee led by deputy prime minister and defence minister Ishwor Pokharel, and chief district offices,” the HAN said, adding that they will hold talks tomorrow on the issue with them. “HAN will also update the list as more hotels will come forward to offer this service in the future.”
Star hotels like Grand Hotel, Swiss International, Hotel Sarowar, Airport Hotel, Hotel Baishali, Summit Residency Hotel, Hotel Marsyangdi, Platinum Hotel, Hotel Manang, Hotel Landmark, Hotel Moonlight, Hotel Sabrina, Hotel Landmark, Hotel Kamal are available in Kathmandu and Pokhara for quarantining the Nepali returnees. The tourist standard hotels including CG Group of Hotels, Vivanta Kathmandu, Lapha Hotel, Hotel Readers Inn, Hotel Everest Mount Holiday, Mirage Lords Inn, Hotel Yambu, Hotel Family Home, Shiva Shankar Hotel, Hotel River, Landmark Forest Park in Kathmandu and Chitwan have also offered their services for the returnee Nepalis.
Likewise, Dreamland Gold Resort at Rupandehi and Park Village in Kathmandu are also available for the quarantine service. The rate of the hotel rooms starts from Rs 2,000 inclusive of four meals a day and the rate can vary depending on the grading of the hotels.
The government has started evacuating migrant Nepali workers from yesterday. The government has made it mandatory for the migrant Nepalis to be quarantined once they reach Nepal. Those who want to and are able to afford the hotel arrangements can use the available hotels for their quarantine, according to the CCMC.
HAN offered their help as the hotels across the country remain shut – from March 24 onwards – due to lockdown because of the Covid-19 outbreak across the world. The travel restrictions imposed across the country have also affected the hotel industry.