Tea factories in Jhapa resumes partly

B Tea factories in Jhapa on Saturday have resumed partial operation after government allowing them to open after meeting health safety standards.

The factories were closed for the past 11 days after the government imposed nationwide lockdown over coronavirus fear. There are more than 300 tea plantations in Jhapa district.

Harvesting and irrigating tea plants have resumed, said Aditya Parajuli, Vice President of the Nepal Tea Producers Association. "It will be difficult to maintain social distancing inside a factory. But it is protective to work at a garden by wearing facemasks and gloves," he said. Tea factories would run full-fledged in the days to come in a safe way when the environment becomes feasible, he said.

Kanyam, Tokla and Barnel tea factories in Ilam and Jhapa have resumed operation full-fledged, it has been said. Soaps and water, masks and gloves have been provided to the workers, said Subash Sanghai, proprietor of Sanghai Group, which owns the factories.