Kiran Lama/Sangita Shrestha

Published On: March 22, 2020 03:00 PM NPT By: Kiran Lama/Sangita Shrestha

Deepak Bajracharya in self-quarantine and all about self-quarantine

Deepak Bajracharya in self-quarantine and all about self-quarantine

On March 4, ‘Man Magan’ singer Deepak Bajracharya jet-off with the band members of ‘Rhythm’ for a two-month-long musical tour in Australia and New Zealand. However, due to recent outbreak of pandemic Novel COVID-19 worldwide, Bajracharya only performed in three cities—Perth, Adelaide and Cairns, and postponed the rest of the shows.  Then, he with the band members immediately packed the bag and returned Nepal on Wednesday morning.

During their flight and transit, Bajracharya and band members had taken precautions—sanitizing wet wipes gloves among others to stem the spread of coronavirus.  As they landed in Nepal, they were disappointed seeing the immature preparation of Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA).

“The precaution which we had taken during flight and transit was baseless when we arrived at TIA.  When the government has banned the gatherings of more than 25 people in public places to contain the spread of coronavirus, why the bus that operates inside the airport was crowded,” Bajracharya told MyCity.

He added, “I don’t know why concerned authorities related to Nepali aviation are not taking coronavirus seriously in the sensitive sectors like the airport. If in case any of us who were inside the bus was infected with coronavirus, we all might contaminate the virus. I think currently we don’t need a bus inside the airport. We can go on foot because the distance is too short.”

Likewise, Bajracharya also suggested that if it is a compulsion regarding security issues, then there should be a system of letting people inside the bus one by one.

When asked the same question to Deputy Director of Nepal Airlines Corporation, the authorized body for ground handling, Anil Ghimire, said, “We are taking feedback on the issues of security and precaution measures at TIA, and from Friday we have less number of international flights.”

Meanwhile, Spokesperson of TIA, Deo Chandra Lal Karna, and director at Airport Operation Department expressed, “No one is allowed to breach government’s decision and there should not be overcrowded passengers on the bus. However, those who landed Nepal had been tested in international airports. Then, we also have a health screening process, which eventually lets us know the immediate health condition of passengers.”

Moreover, the government has banned the entry of passengers from midnight March 20 to April 15 from Europe, the UK, West Asia, and the Gulf countries.

Instead of going to the home directly, Bajracharya is currently in self-quarantine with the band members in the outskirt of Kathmandu valley. However, he concealed the location due to privacy reasons.

“I’m 100 percent healthy but I’m in self-quarantine to stop the possible spread of the virus. I can sacrifice 14 days for the sake of my family and friend circle,” he shared.

However, he was shocked when he heard that most of the people who were traveling on the same plane went home directly, despite the government has urged the people to stay in self-quarantine for 14 days.  “Most of the people take it lightly so, the government should take a serious step in this case.  Moreover, the government has to track down each people who are traveling from abroad,” he said.

“I think self-prevention and precaution is the best remedy for coronavirus until the invention of a vaccine.”

There are 207,860 confirmed cases of Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) around the globe where 8,657 have died having 166 countries, areas or territories with the cases according to Health Emergency Operation Center (HEOC), Nepal.

Till Wednesday, there were a total of 529 samples tested where 528 have been detected negative and one has recovered COVOD-19 so far in Nepal as per HEOC Nepal.

Meanwhile, Nepal Government has announced it is compulsory to stay in 14 days self-quarantine in their home or in a hotel, to those who came to Nepal from foreign countries. The symptoms of Corona are seen within 14 days of infection in a person, and there is always a risk of infecting other people even without the symptoms being seen on that person, so self-quarantine is a way to prevent the risk of getting COVID-19.

For home quarantine, one has to fill up a form at the airport giving details about where you are going to stay, how, and if you are staying alone or with a company. According to the provided information on the form, evaluation and monitoring are done accordingly.

Here's a list of things as per HEOC Nepal you should follow for self-quarantine:

1. Stay in a well-ventilated single room, and if that is not possible, maintain a distance of at least 1 m from the other person sleeping in a separate bed.

2. Use a separate bathroom if available. If not, then clean and disinfect bathroom and toilet surfaces after use.

3. Clean your room yourself.

4. Limit movement in the house and the shared spaces. Ensure that shared spaces (e.g., kitchen, bathroom) are well ventilated (e.g., keep windows open).

5. Restrict activities outside your home or residence except for getting medical care. Do not go to work, school, college or public areas and do not use public transportation.

6. Frequently wash your hands with soap and water thoroughly for 20 seconds, or use alcohol-based hand sanitizer. Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.

7. Avoid sharing household items such as dishes, drinking glasses, cups, eating utensils, towels, bedding, or other items with other people in the home. After using these items, wash them /get them washed thoroughly with soap and water.

8. Do your best to minimize the number of direct interactions with other persons.

9. If you have to interact with other people, maintain a distance of at least 1 meter (3 ft.) and also wear a face mask while you are in the same room with other person and when you have to visit a healthcare provider.

10. Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or handkerchief when you cough or sneeze, or you cough or sneeze into my sleeves.

11. Throw used tissues, masks and other generated from your room in a separate waste bin, or wash handkerchief with soap and water and dry it well in the sun, and immediately wash hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.

12. Follow the instructions provided by Ministry of Health and Population Authorities of Nepal and extend all needful co-operations.

13. Monitor and record your temperature once a day as per the self-monitoring form and provide your daily health status update as instructed for 14 days.

14. Follow the instructions provided by the authorities of the Ministry of Health and Population of Nepal Government in case of any medical problem and other issues.

15. Do not travel outside the quarantine location without prior permission from the authorities of MoHP.

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