KATHMANDU, April 13: Amid fears of spread of COVID-19 in Nepal, the government has deployed 6000 Armed Police Force (APF) personnel to stop the flow of people entering Nepal from India. Indian authorities have also mobilized Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) to stop cross-border movement.
During a briefing made by the representatives of security agencies attending a meeting of COVID-19 Crisis Management Committee on Sunday, 6000 security personnel from Armed Police Force have been strictly monitoring Nepal-India border points. Over 1000 pickets have been established to check the flow of humans. Nepal and India share open border and people from both the countries can enter without any restriction during normal times.
Living with fear
But both the countries have completely stopped cross-border movement aimed at stopping the spread of coronavirus. Thousands of Nepalis working in Indian cities as daily wage laborers are stranded across the border so are the Indians stuck in Nepal. A large number of Indians come to different parts of Nepal for business, study and to work in construction sites.
Both the countries have set up quarantine centers along the borer areas. According to CCMC, 661 Indians are in Nepal's quarantine centers while 2230 Nepalis are taking refuge in Indian quarantine centers. They will be allowed to return home only after health check up.
Cases of coronavirus have been increasing in Indian cities bordering Nepal. On Sunday, three Indians staying in Birgunj were tested positive for coronavirus. The growing number of coronavirus cases has raised concerns both in Nepal and India. So fare 12 people have been infected in Nepal while the number of infections in India stands at 8504 with 289 fatalities.
