KATHMANDU, Feb 16: The government authorities were scheduled to escort Nepali nationals evacuated from China on Saturday to isolation wards set up in Kharipati, Bhaktapur after health tests at the airport. 

The government has arranged the quarantine facility at the training centre of Nepal Electricity Authority in Kharipati, Bhaktapur. Five passenger buses and ambulances were kept standby to escort the returnees to the quarantine facilities. 

A total of 18 CCTV cameras, eight television sets and speakers have been installed in all four buildings of NEA Training Center, where the quarantine facilities have been arranged. Three washing machines, beds, towels, slippers, soaps, toothpaste, brush, masks, medicines and other daily essentials have been kept in the isolation wards in Kharipati as per the international standards set by the World Health Organization, according to a joint secretary at the Ministry of Urban Development. 

While two big buildings will house males and those with family members, female evacuees will be kept at the red building of the NEA Training Center. Health workers including doctors will stay in one small building located there. 

NA pilots, co-pilots and other crew members who went to China to evacuate the Nepali nationals shall be kept in separate isolation wards at the buildings of Nepal Drinking Water Supply Training Center in Nagarkot.

These buildings have been given a facelift, new gardens have been developed and electronic and sanitary facilities including toilets have been repaired. All daily essentials including food stuffs shall be provided in the isolation wards. The buildings have been surrounded by the walls made up of zinc sheets. 

While two badminton courts have been constructed recently within its premise, carom board, ludo and toys for small children have been arranged for entertainment of those staying in the isolation wards. Two separate teams of medical doctors of Nepal Army will stay within the quarantine facilities.

All those evacuated will need to undergo health tests within 24 hours since they are kept in the isolation wards and after 14 days before they could be released. Doctors will collect their blood samples for the tests, while the evacuees will need to measure their own body temperature twice each day and maintain record for test purpose.

Should any evacuees show symptoms of coronavirus infection, they will be immediately taken to Shukraraj Tropical and Infectious Diseases Hospital in Teku, Patan Hospital or Armed Police Force Hospital in Balambu with the help of ambulance that will be kept standby. 

A joint security team of Nepal Police, Armed Police Force and Nepal Army personnel will guard the quarantine areas. Family members are not allowed to meet those kept in the isolation wards for 14 days.

Morning breakfast, lunch, afternoon snacks and dinner shall be provided to those evacuated. They will have to collect their food on their own from six different collection center once it is announced through a loud speaker set up in the control room. Separate underground structures have been built for safety tank and for disposing leftover food of those evacuated in the quarantine facilities. The government is spending over Rs 60 million for the purpose.
 

(With inputs from RSS)

 
• Kharipati_isolation_wards
 
• Bhaktapur
 
• quarantine_facilities
 
• Nepali_nationals_evacuation