Kathmandu, March 26
As China is gradually overcoming the coronavirus crisis by significantly decreasing the number of infected cases, officials in both Nepal and China have taken initiatives to reopen two major trade points between the two countries as soon as possible.
In particular, officials on the Nepal side are currently working on the precautions needed to avoid infection because of the trading via Rasuwagadhi and Tatopani border points.
Rasuwa’s Chief District Officer Arjun Bhandari says the federal government has not made any decision in this regard, but the officials in the district have expedited preparations. Currently, the district officials are preparing measures to ensure that the drivers, security personnel, immigration and customs officers, workers and the goods to be imported and exported will be disinfected.
Preparations are being made in such a way that the Nepali drivers and workers do not need to touch the goods with their hands, according to him.
Bhandari says the human movement via the border, however, will not open anytime soon.
Likewise, Sindhupalchok’s Chief District Officer Umesh Kumar Dhakal says the district officials have left no stone unturned to open the Tatopani point as soon as possible.
Meanwhile, the government has increased the number of health workers at both points. Previously, the medical teams there were led by health assistants, but not medical officers have been deployed.
