By Tara Chapagain
Kaski, May 11:The Pokhara Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) has decided to allow the use of the dome at its exhibition centre at Pokhara-9, Nayabazar as an isolation centre. The decision was taken at a meeting of office bearers chaired by the association's president Narayan Koirala on Sunday.
Secretary-General Surendra Man Bijukchhe informed that the decision was taken under social responsibility due to the growing COVID-19 infection in Kaski and the shortage of beds in the hospital.
"We urge the state government, Pokhara metropolis and local administration to make the site an isolation centre by making proper use of the dome in the exhibition centre if necessary," the union said in a statement.
The Health Division of Pokhara Metropolitan City is conducting free swab collection and testing of the citizens at the exhibition centre on Monday, Thursday and Friday.
The association has requested the industrialists and general public to take advantage of the Hello Doctor campaign under the 'FNCCI Operation COVID-19 Relief Nepal' campaign. The campaign is aimed at providing services to those who have been infected with COVID-19 at home or in isolation and have difficulty seeking medical advice. Under the campaign which aims at providing counselling service through Hello Doctor, direct contact will be established between the infected patients and doctors through Viber.
When industries and businesses have been shut down due to the lockdown amid the fear of infection, the association has also requested the Nepal Rastra Bank to issue a circular to the banks and financial institutions to waive the interest on the loan, reschedule the loan and make arrangements for non-imposition of additional penalties and fines.