By A Staff Reporter
Kathmandu, Apr. 18: Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli Friday instructed the concerned authorities to enforce lockdown stringently and restrict the attempts of a few people to travel to their villages.
Realising the serious health crisis in the country, PM Oli instructed the ministers and concerned bodies to take strong measures to implement the lockdown.
During a special meeting called by PM Oli at his official residence in Baluwatar this afternoon, he asked the ministers and concerned officials to restrict the movement of the people.
The meeting was attended by the Cabinet ministers, members of High-level Coordination Committee for the prevention and control of COVID-19 and the COVID-19 Crisis Management Centre
PM Oli also instructed the local authorities to ensure food for those people who are on way to their villages.
During the meeting, PM Oli inquired about the preventive measures taken by the high-level committee and COCMC to prevent and control the possible outbreak of the virus, arrangement of medicines, medical equipment and goods and health professionals.
Minister for Communication and Information Technology Dr. Yuba raj Khatiwada informed that PM Oli instructed the ministers to work aggressively to enforce the lockdown.
According to Minister Dr. Khatiwada, the PM instructed the local and State governments to prevent people from travelling from one place to another. “They have to be stopped there where they are and the government should ensure lodging and fooding for those who are moving out from cities to villages, the PM instructed.
Minister Dr. Khatiwada further added that on the basis of the requirement, PM Oli would make further decision after evaluating the condition.
PM Oli further instructed high level committee to coordinate with the local and state governments and State Assembly Members to ensure food to those families who are having hard time to fulfill their livelihood.
According to Minister Dr. Khatiwada, PM Oli has also instructed the local and state governments to evaluate, monitor and manage the overall situation of lockdown and the preventive measures taken to contain the virus.
Prior to the meeting, the high-level committee held a discussion to settle the issue of people who are travelling for days on foot as they have nothing to eat in their rented rooms in the cities.
Earlier, the Supreme Court had also asked the government to find solution to the problems of people who are at the risk due to the scarcity of food.