April 26: The World Health Organisation (WHO) has removed Nepal from the high-risk zone of COVID-19 infection, the state-run national news agency RSS reported on Saturday (April 25). 

According to RSS, the WHO has now placed it in the risk zone. The WHO’s latest assessment was based on efforts Nepal has taken in the prevention and containment of the deadly virus.    
According to joint spokesperson for the Ministry of Health and Population, Dr Samir Adhikari, Nepal was earlier assessed as highly vulnerable to COVID-19 due to the emergence of virus in China to the north and its open border with India to the south.

However, Nepal was removed from the list based on measures it applied in the prevention, control and treatment of the virus, RSS further said.    
It may be noted that Nepal has imposed a nationwide lockdown since March 24 and has also sealed its international borders including with India to stem the spread of virus. Nepal's decision to implement lockdown has proved to be a timely measure against the virus as it lessened the risk of imported cases, said Dr Adhikari.