COVID-19 cases multiply in Nepal despite lockdown in place

By Our Reporter

Although the government imposed lockdown from March 24 when only five cases were of coronavirus were recorded in the country, the poor implementation of the lockdown resulted in a sharp rise of cases in three days, from 48^th day of the nationwide lockdown. On the 51^st day on Wednesday the cases jumped to 243 with highest single day case of 83 on Tuesday.

On Wednesday, 24 cases, mostly from with highest cases from Rupandehi and Kapilvastu district, according to the Ministry of Health and Population (MoHP).

When the lockdown was defied by those having access to power, as they easily get pass for their vehicles, people’s movement increased and more people arrived in Kathmandu and the government failed to monitor the border in south, the cases of COVID multiplied in three days.

Most of COVID-19 patients are those who entered Nepal illegally from India. Of course, lockdown was not like lockdown in Kathmandu this week as traffic jams occurred and shops including those of clothes were open. Prime Minister Oli also expressed his dissatisfaction to the poor implementation of lockdown on Tuesday, prompting the Home Ministry to annul all passes granted by the District Administration Office.

But now the situation has worsened as cases increased by 164 in three days and had the test intensified, the number could have been much more than this.

Now the government has no option but to give continuity to lockdown and even curfew because more people tend to disobey the lockdown. Similarly, measures should be taken to test more people, especially in the Tarai and Kathmandu.