Kathmandu, Mar. 10: The government has reiterated that there is no situation to be panicked over availability of daily essentials including food. People are thereby urged not to go after rumours.

Spokesperson of the government and Minister for Communications and Information Technology, Dr Yubraj Khatiwa, said, "There won't be shortage of daily essential goods. There is no case of coronavirus (COVID-19) in Nepal yet."

He reiterated that there is currently stock of food items and other essentials sufficient for at least six months. "I strongly discourage people against buying things for a month at once and hoarding unnecessarily as it creates artificial shortage," Spokesperson Khatiwada said, warning of punishment as it was tantamount to a social crime.

Similarly, Khatiwada shared that the high level coordination team to control COVID-19 headed by DPM Ishwor Pokhrel discussed with stakeholders on the supply of goods including medicines. It is the third meeting of the high level committee. The meeting reviewed the situation and efforts made so far for the preparedness.

The government has already formed an action team under the coordination of Chief Secretary.

Following the meeting on Tuesday, Minister Khatiwada shared that government, via diplomatic channel, had requested the Indian government to ease the supply of medicines and other essential to Nepal. So, there was no problem on supply, he added.

He however admitted that the industrialists and entrepreneurs complained of lack of information sharing in an integrated manner by the government side.

Similarly, central chairperson of Nepal Drug Dealers' Association, Mrigendra Shreshta, made commitment that there would not be black marketing in medicine, as it is the sensitive issue.

Nepal Chamber of Commerce representatives informed the meeting that production of face mask was increased, so the supply would be smooth very soon.

Minister Khatiwada assured assistance from the government side if the Nepali industries could boost medicine production. He further told the media that government was holding discussion with other political parties on how they could work together to fend off the COVID-19 entry.