May 3: The government has taken initiative to immediately bring 20,000 cylinders of oxygen provided by China. The Covid-19 Crisis Management Center (CCMC) informed that the ministries of foreign affairs, health and finance will immediately start working to this end.

The country is in need of additional oxygen cylinders as the demand for oxygen is increasing with the rise in new infections of COVID-19. Oxygen manufacturers have been stating that despite having enough oxygen, they are having problem is supplying oxygen due to limited number of cylinders. Likewise, it has been learnt that people are holding up oxygen cylinders at their home leading to a shortage of cylinders.

According to the doctors, the new variants of coronavirus affect the respiratory system of patients and they require oxygen support.

Meanwhile, a meeting of the CCMC decided to reduce the movement of people in government offices in the districts where prohibitory orders have been enforced and has allowed secretaries, joint secretaries and head of government offices to commute carrying identity cards. 

Likewise, the new building of Bir Hospital has been announced as coronavirus hospital.

The Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) has said that CCMC is looking for various alternatives following the rise in complaints about shortage of beds in hospitals.

According to Ganesh Pandey, Press Adviser to Deputy PM Ishwar Pokharel, cremation will be conducted using traditional methods and a letter has already been written to the concerned authority in this regard. 

A cabinet meeting has already implemented quota system for domestic flights on the recommendation of the CCMC and has employed strict measures in some international flights to contain the spread of coronavirus. A minister said that flights to Brazil and South Africa have been suspended in light of the growing new COVID-19 cases.

Despite the sharp rise in COVID-19 cases in the Kathmandu Valley, the district-level CCMC meeting has decided to allow operation of banks and financial institutions with one fourth of employees.

Grocery shops that were allowed to open from 5pm to 7pm in the evening will not be allowed to open from Monday, May 3. 

According to Kali Prasad Parajuli, Chief District Officer of Kathmandu, people walking without wearing masks will be fined and permits will be checked strictly.