Diplomatic community briefed on preparedness against COVID-19

Kathmandu: Nepal government has briefed the diplomatic and development community in Kathmandu on the government’s preparedness against COVID-19 infection and possible deliverance of health security to the international community.

Briefing the international community in Kathmandu Tuesday the government expressed commitment to support the international community including staffers of UN agencies, development partners, diplomatic agencies and their family members living in Kathmandu against COVID-19 infection.

Present in the program were high-level government officials of Home Ministry, Civil Aviation Ministry, Health and Population Ministry and Finance Ministry. The high-level officials briefed the international community on the government’s preparedness about hospitals, emergency services, health workers, mobilization of volunteers and health test procedures.

The diplomatic and development community present on the occasion were ambassadors of France, Germany, Australia, North Korea, country director of the World Bank, representatives from the European Union and secretary-general of SAARC among others.

The lethal epidemic Coronavirus known as COVID-19 which spread from mainland China has already claimed the lives of over 7,989 people globally with maximum deaths in China only and around 198,712 people (in more than 160 countries) being infected around the world.

COVID-19 has insidiously affected tourism worldwide, including Nepal. Nepal continues to scramble for preventive measures with limited resources. According to Nepali authorities, six patients suspected of Coronavirus are in isolation wards in hospitals.