By Ajita Rijal

Kathmandu, Mar. 23: Health experts have said that it is very safe to stay home to remain safe from the coronavirus infection.
The government, as a measure to control the outbreak of the coronavirus (COVID-19), has already advised people to avoid social gatherings.
The doctors have asked people to stay home and not to make movements outside home unless it is absolutely essential.
Staying at home is keeping oneself and others safe from the virus, said Dr Bikash Devkota, Spokesperson at the Ministry of Health and Population.
At a time of health emergency, people are also obliged to play the role of surveillance, said Dr Devkota.
If someone in the neighbourhood returns from any of the infected country or suspected area of virus, the community has the responsibility to play the role of surveillance in ensuring that such people stay on quarantine or self-isolation as required, as the community will know their people, Dr Devkota added.
Health experts urged public to understand the time of health emergency and not to visit hospitals except for emergency health cases.
Patients with high blood sugar, diabetes, and chronic diseases should take medications at home and stay safe, said Dr Sagar Rajbhandari , Director at Shukraraaj Tropical and Infectious Disease Hospital (SDITH).
Hospitals are such places where the diseases can be treated as well as transmitted too, said Dr Rajbhandari, adding that the vulnerable groups should avoid visiting the hospitals.
If in case the virus is found positive, it can be treated with exception in a few vulnerable cases, said Dr Rajbhandari, adding that no one should panic unnecessarily. Public health expert, Dr. Rabindra Pandey said that the medical or pharmacies must not entertain serpentine queue of the people.
People are found panicking even with the seasonal flu for which they rush to the nearer pharmacies, said Pandey. Seasonal flu can be treated with simple hot water, ginger , garlic, lemon and honey, added Dr Pandey.
As a social distancing is a major way to stay away from coronavirus, people should evade contact with someone who is showing symptoms of COVID-19, said doctors. The public
should know the difference between seasonal flu and COVID 19.

Unlike the seasonal flu, the coronavirus symptoms include high fever, breathing problems and continuous dry cough, said Dr Pandey.
Anyone who shows symptoms of coronavirus should visit the nearest hospital and take necessary precautions for avoiding its transmission to others. Also, as responsible citizens, everyone has a role to play in its prevention to avoid transmission.