By A Staff Reporter

Kathmandu, Mar. 23:The government has been preparing to use hotels, schools, hospitals and other public places as quarantine sites in case of emergency if the coronavirus spreads widely.
A taskforce formed under the coordination of Yogesh Bhattarai, Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation to construct and manage quarantine centres targeting the pandemic virus Sunday decided to create quarantines across the country as a preparation to fight COVID-19.
A meeting of the stakeholders decided to make at least 2,000 people's capacity quarantine by every state, at least 2,000 capacity quarantine by every Metropolitan city, at least 1,000 capacity quarantine by every sub-metropolitan city, at least 500 person capacity quarantine by mountainous region local governments, 1000 person capacity quarantine in hilly region's local governments and 2000 person capacity quarantine in Terai region.
The government has also decided to make at least 5000 person capacity quarantine in Kathmandu Valley only.
As per the decision, the taskforce decided to manage such quarantines in coordination with concerned authorities across the country.
After a meeting held with concerned bodies on Sunday, the taskforce has decided to make 2000 persons capacity quarantine at different hotels which will be managed by Department of Tourism and Nepal Tourism Board in coordination with Hotel Association of Nepal and Hotel Entrepreneurs Federation.
Likewise, the taskforce has asked the Private and Boarding School Association Nepal (PABSON) and National Private and Boarding School Association Nepal (NPABSON) to manage at least 2000 capacity quarantine in open rooms of schools.
Besides, that the government is also planning to make Kathmandu, Lalitpur, Pokhara, Butwal and Dharan Stadiums and hostels quarantine centres in coordination with National Sports Council. All quarantine could be converted as hospital if needed, the taskforce also decided.
The taskforce has demanded with Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Home Affairs and Ministry of Urban Development and all four security bodies to submit the report of required budget and resources for the management of such quarantine. The taskforce has asked to submit the report by Monday. The taskforce has scheduled its next meeting for Monday, Prem Guragain, Personal Secretary of Minister Bhattarai, said.