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    Nepal on high alert to prevent 2019-n coronavirus infection

    January 30, 2020
    Nepal News
    , , ,
    Nepal on high alert to prevent 2019-n coronavirus infection

    Travel Biz News –

    Kathmandu – Nepal is safe from the spread of epidemic of China corona virus, but is on high alert and has taken all necessary precautions to prevent 2019-nCoV infection among tourists and general public , according to a statement issued by the Government of Nepal.

    The spread of Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV) in China has been noted with concern by Nepal. A meeting was held recently by the Ministry of Health and Population in the presence of Prime Minister of Nepal to study and analyze negative effects of 2019-nCoV,

    The meeting called for coordination among stakeholders for high precaution against 2019-nCoV.

    Similarly ,  a meeting held among major tourism stakeholders in the presence of   Minister of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Yogesh Bhattarai discussed on the impact of 2019-nCoV on the ongoing national tourism campaign Visit Nepal 2020; particularly with regard to precautions to be taken, awareness generation among general public, and coordination to mitigate of the impact of 2019-nCoV, according to the release.

    The tourism stakeholders have recommended 12-point actions to  be taken immediately as safety measures for tourists and general public against 2019-nCoV :

    • An area shall be set aside for Dedicated Health Check Desk at entry points including the Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) and coordination for facilitation of the same for tourists shall be done.
    • Tourists arriving from China, who show symptoms of infection by 2019-nCoV, shall be transferred to the designated health center immediately by the concerned hotel, travel/ trekking agency.
    • Announcement shall be made in all aircrafts landing at TIA requesting passengers to ensure screening for 2019-nCoV infection at the Health Check Desk upon arrival. Similarly, CAAN shall immediately make effective Aircraft Disinfection of all aircrafts before landing at TIA, as per WHO guidelines.
    • Private sector tourism service providers shall be requested to ensure that all officials and employees are updated and informed about 2019-nCoV risks and precautionary measures be taken.
    • Guidelines and notice regarding health and safety issues related to 2019-nCoV published by the Ministry of Health and Population shall be thoroughly followed.
    • High precaution and facilitation for screening shall be conducted on the northern border of Nepal and China like Rasuwa, Yarina and others.
    • Adherence to the use of masks, gloves and other necessary items against 2019-nCoV shall be observed by officials at TIA.
    • Adherence to precautionary measures against 2019-nCoV in popular destinations of Nepal like Kathmandu, Pokhara, Chitwan and Lumbini shall be observed.
    • Awareness programs and activities shall be conducted to disseminate information about mitigating the risks of 2019-nCoV for travelers and general public.
    • Adherence to precautionary measures against 2019-nCoV in popular religious and cultural sites shall be observed.
    • Collection of posters, pamphlets and other information materials regarding 2019-nCoV released by the Ministry of Health and Population for distribution among the private sector tourism industry and display at visible spots by hotels, trekking/ travel companies.

    Officials and representatives of the MoCTCA , Department of Tourism , Nepal Tourism Board , Hotel Association of Nepal (HAN), Trekking Agencies’ Association of Nepal (TAAN), Nepal Mountaineering Association (NMA), Nepal Association of Tour and Travel Agents (NATTA), and other tourism organizations attended the meeting.

    The death toll from the coronavirus outbreak has risen to 170 and confirmed cases crossed 7,711 as of 30 January. Infections have also spread to more than 15 other countries including Nepal.

    Jan. 30 ,2020

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