Smart lockdown only in COVID hotspots

The government has given the right to the local administration to carry out a 'smart lockdown' at the villages considering the risk of COVID-19. In the past time, after the risk of coronavirus increased in a particular place, the lockdown was posed on the district but this time the government has instructed the local administration can announce lockdown in the particular area or village if it is needed. 

According to Sunita Nepal, spokesperson and joint secretary of the Covid Crisis Management Centre (CCMC), only certain areas which are COVID-19 hotspots can pose smart lockdown.

Nepal said, "Lockdown does not mean the whole district or the whole country; Now, where the risks are higher can go under a lockdown. In the rest of the area, daily life will be normal. That's why it's called 'Smart Lockdown'. "

After the CCMC recommended the government to give such authority to the Chief District Officer, smart lockdown can be done only at district, municipality, and ward level considering the risk.

The government has taken the policy of implementing 'Smart Lockdown' to control the risk of the third wave. The Ministry of Home Affairs has given the power to Chief District Officer to effectively implement the Action Plan 2078 for the Prevention, Control, and Treatment of COVID-19.

In the meeting of the COVID-19 Board of Directors chaired by Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba, the representatives of the concerned associations / institutions and expert doctors had suggested that the smart lockdown adopted by other countries of the world should be implemented.

Prime Minister Deuba had instructed to adopt the method of smart lockdown as it would be easier to mobilize manpower and resources where there is a problem, treatment would be effective, risk could be easily controlled and residents of high risk areas would not have to suffer further inconvenience.

Preparations in the valley

Meanwhile, preparations have been made to implement 'Smart Lockdown' in the Kathmandu Valley for the prevention and control of corona infection. A joint meeting of the chief district officers of all the three districts of the Kathmandu Valley has been scheduled for Tuesday to discuss the issue. Necessary decision will be taken after the meeting, said Kathmandu Chief District Officer Govinda Prasad Rijal. The Covid-19 Infection Management Center (DCCAC) in all the three districts has held separate discussions with the concerned health officials and stakeholders to control the new form of the Kovid-19 epidemic. According to Prajia Rijal, discussions are underway to provide alternatives to the non-essential services provided by the District Administration Office.

Similarly, the Chief District Officers of Lalitpur and Bhaktapur have stated that they will strictly implement the directives issued by the COVID-19 Infection Management Center (CCMCC) and the Ministry of Home Affairs. Chief District Officer of Bhaktapur, Rudra Devi Sharma, said that internal discussions have started on the issue. Chief District Officer of Lalitpur, Ghanshyam Upadhyaya, says that a phased discussion is being held with the necessary preparations for the prevention and control of the infection. Immediate emphasis has been placed on vaccination along with the use of masks, sanitizers, unnecessary congestion control and awareness.