Purushottam P. Khatri

Kathmandu, July 6: Only a few Nepalis evacuated from different countries were found to be staying in hotel quarantines.

The records of the COVID-19 Crisis Management Centre as of July 5, 2020, showed that out of 18,898 rescued Nepalis, only 895 were found staying in hotel quarantines. On Sunday alone, 604 Nepali people returned home.

According to the CCMC, of the total rescued Nepalis, 12,831 were sent to their respective State-based quarantines. Among them, 2,333 returnees have chosen to stay in home quarantine.

At present, 2,186 people are staying in various quarantines set up by the local bodies, according to the CCMC records.

Of the total returnees, 38 returnees were in various hospitals across the country as they were COVID-19 suspects.

As per the records, the highest numbers of returnees were from Kuwait at 3,839 followed by 3,192 from the U.A.E. The lowest number of people came to Nepal from Afghanistan, just 18 people as of July 5, 2020.

State-wise, 5,907 returnees were from Bagmati State followed by 3,529 from State 1. The lowest number of returnees were from Sudurpaschim State, just at 444.

The government had started rescuing Nepalis from June 5 after it imposed travel restrictions and suspended regular national and international flights in the wake of coronavirus pandemic. First lot of 26 Nepalis had arrived in Kathmandu from Myanmar and 150 from the U.A.E on June 5.

The government has been saying that it will rescue only up to 25,000 Nepalis. But some unofficial records showed that over 40,000 Nepalis are now willing to come home.

As soon as the migrant workers land at the Tribhuvan International Airport, they are sent to the holding centres arranged by the Nepali Army in various places of the valley, 

where their personal details, permanent residence and telephone number are collected and health checked.

According to general secretary of Hotel Association of Nepal (HAN) Sajan Shakya, three five- star hotels, nine three-star, two two-star, one one-star deluxe hotel, five one-star hotels and 27 other hotels of tourist standard have received permission to keep the people who come home from abroad during this lockdown.

According to him, the hotel costs range from Rs. 2,000 to 11,000 per day, although there are different schemes for the people who wish to stay in pair and for couples. In five-star hotel, it costs Rs. 8,000 to 11,000 per day, he said. The price includes four meals, including lunch, per day.

Staying in hotel quarantines, one person has to pay a minimum Rs. 28,000 to Rs. 150,000 for 14 days.

Published on: 6 July 2020 | The Rising Nepal