Today, the roads are empty, all factories, schools, colleges, offices are shut, all constructions and domestic and international all flights are halted. This is the most rare sight any Nepalese have seen till date with the impose of nationwide lockdown in the country due to the emerging thread of Coronavirus. This is not only the situation in Nepal but in many countries as the entire world battles the spread of coronavirus.
The nationwide lockdown that was imposed from 24 March 2020 has put the livelihood of hundreds and thousands of people at stake. Though there is no any death cases till date, this small country is not away from the risk of spread of this deadly epidemic having India as its neighbourhood country where the cases are rapidly increasing day by day.
Distribution of COVID-19 cases in Nepal till date.
Total Cases: 82
Total Recovered: 16
Active Cases: 66
Serious Cases: 0
Dead: 0
The country is implementing strict security ensuring only essential items like medicines etc can be transported across districts. The unprecedented nature of the pandemic and its devastating has the biggest impact on the Nepal’s major sources of income: remittances, agriculture and tourism that has badly hit the economy.
The predicted loss of revenue for the budget so far is estimated at Rs200 billion, and Nepal’s economic growth rate is expected to shrink by up to 4%. The economic impact of the pandemic add to pre-existing macroeconomic problems including a growing balance of payments deficit. Nepal saw a fall in its current account balance from $240 million to $742 million in the first quarter of this fiscal year, and this gap is expected to widen with a freeze of trade and movement.
While the whole country remains silent at the moment, it is eagerly waiting for the world to recover from this deadly pandemic. For now it is time for each of us to do our part and help each other, practice the values of kindness, accountability, resilience, respect and courage .
Please take all the precautionary measures , stay home, stay safe and stay healthy .
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