The government has made it clear that there no situation to get panicked over the suspected unavailability of goods in market. Although there is COVID-19 menace, the food grains available in the country suffice for four to six months, the government has said.
Spokesperson of the government, Dr Yubraj Khatiwada, urged one and all not to stock goods unnecessarily. Government has initiated action against those involved in artificial shortage of foods and those spreading rumours, he added.
Talking to media persons about the country situation in the wake of COVID-19 menace, Spokesperson Khatiwada and Minister for Industry, Commerce and Supplies Lekharaj Bhatt however urged everyone to remain alert on the coronavirus.
According to Minister Bhatta, the country has stock of medicines that suffices eight months, salt for 10 months and sugar for three months. Special shops were being opened in five places of the Kathmandu Valley by Food Management and Trade Company, and Salt Trading.
Although most of the countries are affected by the coronavirus that originated from Wuhan, China 57 days back, Nepal is still safe that none is infected. After the WHO urged the south Asian countries for further preventive measures in view of the COVID-19 spread in this region lately, the government has intensified measures to stay away from the fatal virus. The secondary education exam (SEE) scheduled to begin today was postponed at the last hour yesterday. Even the university exams have been cancelled till further notice.
Minister Bhatta warned of stringent action against anyone involved in black marketing. "There is no problem in the supply of petroleum products," he assured. In case of cooking gas shortage, induction oven and electricity could be alternatives, he suggested.
He however admitted that shortage of paracetamol, mask and sanitizer was reported, so supply was increased accordingly. He also stressed that media needs to feed people with genuine information.
Tourism sector to get relief
Dr Khatiwada, also Finance Minister, said that aviation, transportation, hospitality, travel and trekking, and handicraft sectors were badly affected from the fear of coronavirus outbreak in the country. Hence, homework is ongoing to compensate those areas by welcoming offseason tourists from the neighbouring countries after the risk of the virus fades away.
He also made it clear that the government was thinking to provide loan assistance or ensure tax exemption to the tourism industry for this time. Dr Khatiwada, however, said that impacts on tourism sector won’t cripple the entire economy of the country since the contribution of tourism sector to the country’s gross domestic production is meagre 3%.
Likewise, Dr Khatiwada urged the aspirant migrant workers to get enlisted and work under the Prime Minister Employment Programme inside the country.
The finance minister was of the view that decreased rate of the remittance inflow won’t immediately impact the banking sector. "We are in the situation to make Rs 70 billion banking investment. The inflation rate is gradually decreasing. Import in the industry sector has upped by four percent. Efforts are on to bring goods-laden containers within 14 days from China’s borders. So, extreme problem is not likely," Dr Khatiwada shared.
The government spokesperson added that coordination between the local levels and states has been beefed up for the prompt preparedness in view of COVID-19 risks.
On the occasion, Dr Khatiwada shared that no one is tested positive for COVID-19 so far in the country, thanks to the government’s decision to impose bans on arrivals of citizens from different coronavirus-hit countries.