7 April 2020, Kathmandu
Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has labelled the current lockdown imposed by the government as a move triggered under compulsion.
Saying that the country is currently in a lockdown, PM Oli said people are facing hardship during this difficult phase.
“We have no alternative than to enforce a lockdown despite knowing that people, especially the daily wage earners are undergoing hardship,” PM Oli said in his address to the nation on Tuesday.
This, perhaps, is the first time that our generation has undergone such a crisis, he said urging people to cooperate with the government to combat the coronavirus pandemic.
He said Nepal is in war against deadly coronavirus. “We are still at high risk,” he said adding that though Nepal has been successful to confine to only 9 such cases, PM Oli said, “I am aware of the fact that all sections of the society, including business people, students, daily wage earners, jail birds, among others are suffering at the moment.”
“I can easily feel how painful it is to be in isolation as I have also spent several years in the jail,” he said.
PM Oli urged people to refrain from leaving their houses to control the pandemic. “Those who have been staying in quarantines in India will be brought back to Nepal after the lockdown is over,” he said hoping that the black clouds of crisis will end soon.
“The next two weeks can be more difficult,” he said adding that the government is making every effort to control the coronavirus pandemic.
Saying that nothing can be more important than people’s lives, the government has endeavored to ensure that people do not have to undergo hardships.
“It is high time that all concerned came together to overcome the crisis,” PM Oli said while urging the media to refrain from attacking the government in a time of crisis. “I am well-aware of the media reports,” he said.
He also appreciated the medics, security personnel, and civil servants for the selfless service and contribution at this difficult time and situation despite limited resources.
