NEPALGUNJ, July 23: The fear of COVID-19 infection has gripped Nepalgunj following the rise of the viral infection in India. The increasing number of infections has deeply concerned the locals residing near the borders; they fear that the open border between the two countries is a major factor in transmitting the virus.
According to the health workers of the district, the lack of proper check ups of people crossing the border has increased the risk of virus transmission inside the country.
“The growing number of infections in India has led many people to enter Nepalgunj daily through the open border. The spread of the virus is inevitable if so many people enter the country at once,” a local health worker said. In addition, the people crossing the border have not undergone any effective testing as well, eyewitnesses informed Republica.
Living with fear
According to Purna Khatri, sub-inspector and in-charge of Jamuna police post in Banke district, as many as 500 to 600 Nepali laborers enter Nepalgunj from India daily. “They are returning from different parts of India such as Delhi, Chandigarh, Gujarat, Mumbai, and other big cities. There are also many people leaving for India as well,” Khatri said.
Health experts from the district fear a third wave of COVID0-19 will happen now. The increasing number of infections in India has spread fear across the locals of Banke district.
According to Dhirjung Shah, chief, and senior health officer of the district health office, it is very easy for the virus to reach Nepalgunj from India. The increase in infection numbers in the neighboring country has deeply concerned many people, Shah said. “We are making early preparation for a third wave as it is likely to affect the younger people,” he added.
Furthermore, the work towards setting up COVID wards and health check-ups for people entering via the border is currently underway as well.
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