May 5: The government has hinted at reopening businesses and industries that have remained closed since the government imposed a lockdown on March 24.

The Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Supplies is currently holding discussions with the High-Level Committee to Prevent Coronavirus on the prospects of reopening industries by classifying them into green and yellow zones based on the extent of risk of coronavirus infection.

The ministry is finalizing its plan to reopen the industries by classifying them into different categories. State Minister for Industry, Commerce and Supplies Moti Lal Dugad informed New Business Age that the government will take a decision to this effect within a few days.

“The lockdown will be in force until May 7. We will come up with a work procedure very soon,” said Dugad.

According to State Minister Dugad, the areas with high risk will be listed as red zones and will remain closed. However, green and yellow zones will be allowed to operate by maintaining physical distance among the workers under a certain criteria, said Dugad.

He further said that the government will make arrangement for operating industries and businesses by adopting necessary precautions even if the lockdown gets extended.

Currently, only the industries producing essential items and medicines are operational in the country.

Senior Vice President of the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industries (FNCCI) Shekhar Golchha said that it is not essential to allow the industries to operate.

“Lockdown has proved to be effective.  It has almost become a success. Since the coronavirus pandemic is under control in Nepal, the government must now allow industries with low risk to resume operation,” he said. “This would not only prevent the collapse of the industries but also avoid the entire economy of the country from ruin,” he added.