KATHMANDU, March 9: Minister for Industry, Commerce and Supplies Lekhraj Bhatta has claimed that import from the third countries has not been affected due to the spread of coronavirus outbreak. 

Amid the widespread news citing the halt of export and import to and from China, India and third countries due to fear of COVID-19 outbreak, Minister Bhatta urged one and all to abandon the psychology that the country is not making any import from third countries.

"The goods are being imported as usual. However, we have indeed taken strict precautionary measures as the virus may spread even through the goods," the minister said while addressing a function in the capital on Monday.

He said that goods are to be kept at the border points for a few days to avoid the viral outbreak in the country. 

On the occasion, he also informed that there is no need for issuing a white paper. "White paper will be issued only if the state of emergency is declared," Bhatta observed. 

He also urged the people to inform the government bodies concerned if they face any issue relating to commodities supplies in the market. 

Minister Bhatta vowed to curb black-marketing. "Price hike is a normal phenomenon when there is a high demand for goods in the market," he added. 

 
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