By Abinash Chaudhary, Dhangadhi, Oct. 5: Nepali labourers returning from India for the upcoming festivals are being screened for COVID-19 at the border points of Sudurpashchim Province. The labourers are being tested at the health desks set up at Gauriphanta and Gadda Chauki.

According to Krishnananda Joshi, information officer at the District Administration Office of Kanchanpur, the tests are being carried out in coordination with the local governments, the District Public Health Office and donor agencies.

“As per the circular issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs, every person displaying suspicious symptoms is being tested through the antigen method,” Joshi said.

The health desk at Gauriphanta border point is jointly operated by the Punarbas Municipality of Kanchanpur, Dhangadhi Sub-Metropolitan City of Kailali and the District Public Health Office (DPHO) of Kanchanpur.

Similarly, the health desk at Gadda Chauki is jointly operated by the DPHO and Bheemdatta Municipality.

“If anyone tests positive for the coronavirus then they will be kept at the isolation centre set up at Beli,” Lal Bahadur Dhami, chief of the DPHO said, adding, “However, if anyone wishes to isolate at home then we allow that and let them into the country.”

Those coming from India are also no longer required to stay in quarantine.

The stakeholders told The Rising Nepal that they are determined to identify and isolate any COVID-19 case before it reaches the villages.

As per the data provided by the District Administration Office, 14,273 Nepalis have entered the country since September 17 through the Gauriphanta and Gadda border points. Of them, 9,526 were tested at the border and 11 tested positive.