COVID-19 will not take the form of epidemic in Nepal: PM

Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has said that Corona Virus will not take epidemic proportions in Nepal due to the timely lockdown, social distancing and closure of international transit points as well as other preventives measures taken against the infection.

In a special interview to government media including Rastriya Samachar Samiti today, Prime Minister Oli said COVID-19 testing has been expanded to all 77 districts, medical kits and human resources have been reached while the contact tracing and testing is being done through both RDT and PCR method. Hence, the COVID-19 disease could not take an alarming form in the country.

"The government of Nepal has accorded first priority to human lives and their protection, no politics or business can be done in this matter, our only attention now is to save the Nepali people, humans and citizens," he said while talking to media persons at his official residence in Baluwatar this evening.

He also said that the lockdown, which has been adopted as a successful measure by many countries to check the rate of infection, should not be associated with economy, political ideology or a political system. "The lockdown will not only be loosened but ended after the Corona Virus infection is brought under control, but for that the lockdown has to be enforced stringently," the Prime Minister said.

Expressing his support to the appeal made by UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres and the steps to be taken by Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) member states on coming May 5, the Prime Minister also appealed to the world community to come together against this common enemy.

The responsibilities and roles of all mechanisms such as Council of Ministers, health ministry, high-level coordination committee for the prevention and control, Corona crisis management centers should be equally spectacular in the coordinated fight against COVID-19, he said while highlighting the need of robust teambuilding to put the pandemic to an end.

Expressing his belief that Nepal would take a leap forward in health service sector following the suppression of Corona, the PM said the foundation has been well developed in every district to that end. He ruled out the significance of an all-party political mechanism for the prevention and control of COVID-19 when there is a government with the people's mandate of almost two-thirds majority.

Prime Minster Oli went on saying that he had consulted with the representatives from all political parties, organizations, I/NGOs, civil society, individuals and people for collaboration against the pandemic and also received genuine suggestions and recommendations. Noting that such mechanism has not been placed in other countries, he said such mechanism if needed could be formed under his premiership.

Saying that he has no greed for property and all his property has been donated, the PM said that his property for now comes only from his salary and his wife Radhika’s pension. He also claimed that some antagonizing forces were trading barbs stating that Lalita Niwas land scam and Nepal Airline Corporation’s wide body procurement process happened during his premiership.

On the occasion, Oli said that 73 people have been put behind bars on the 38 kg gold scam and expressed his displeasure over the accusation of poor governance and corruption after the incumbent government initiated probe into the murder of 24 persons against a politician who even served as the lawmaker.

PM Oli also defended the agreement and cancellation of the agreement on procurement of health materials, which was done by the Department of Health Service, and noted that publicity over the issue by linking the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers was intended to create illusion, confuse people and make the government failure. “The agreement on health materials procurement has been scrapped, the surety amount is confiscated and the company is blacklisted and those involved in irregularities would be punished,” PM Oli added.

Referring to 'baseless and bias reports about lack of the government's enough initiatives to prevent and control coronavirus, PM Oli said, "Blames in an immoral way show the culture of accusers. But, the government is responsible to save lives of people. In this regard, help and cooperation of all are needed. Criticism of a handful people shows their tendency instead."

On predicaments facing people including workers and unemployed people leaving the Kathmandu Valley for their hometowns by foot and people returning home from India, he asked people to inform of the situation facing the people instead of criticising the government. The government has managed food and their transportation to their hometowns in a safe way, he said.

"People should not criticise the government at this time of crisis. No one should die from disease and starvation. Nepal is not a country of beggars, but a country of people who survive on labour. We have realised that people are deprived of facilities at this time of emergency. We all should unite to save ourselves from the virus."

Stating that to ensure smooth supply of daily essentials, shopping centres have been created at various locations, and use of induction ovens encouraged, he said action has been taken against those who have been involved in black marketing.

When asked if any division has been created between the ruling Nepal Communist Party and the government presently, he said there has been a unity among all and that the government was moving ahead on the same rhythm and pace. "Though some individuals have a tendency of making noise out of frustration, uncertainty and lack of any direction in life, it would not damage the party but the only the individual concerned."

Details of Prime Minister Oli's interview will be disseminated on RSS April 19 bulletin.