March 22.

Gaddachauki, the western border point in Kanchanpur district has become quiet with the government decision to seal Nepal’s borders with India and China for a week, beginning from today amidst the heightened risk of coronavirus outbreak. The Gaddachauki market has been completely closed down and transportation come to a halt in Kanchanpur district, affecting commuters. Security arrangements have been tightened targeting the southern border, said the police. People unaware of the decision to seal the border are being allowed into Nepal via the Gaddachauki point only after medical screening. A health team has been at work at the border area since this morning. Beside, another major market area Mahendranagar has been completely shut down since the morning. Police have been urging locals to stay home by avoiding all non-essential movements. The District Administration Office Kanchanpur had decided to close markets, business, and factories since last midnight over coronavirus crisis. “The supplies of essentials continue,” said Bhimdatta municipality mayor Surendra Bista. The local government has geared up for building isolation wards and other required physical infrastructures to fight COVID-19. The Nepal Army has been at work to turn a hostel based in the Bhimdattanagar market into a 100-bed isolation facility. A significant number of security forces has been mobilised along the border area, highways and market areas.