Entrepreneurs warn of stern protest if government imposes lockdown yet again

KATHMANDU: Entrepreneurs have warned of staging a stern protest if the government imposed prohibitory orders or lockdown again in the future.

The warning comes at a time when the government has urged the general public not to go outside without emergency works and not to use vehicles after 8 pm.

The recent decision of the government has left many entrepreneurs in panic as they were thinking that the businesses hit hard by the Covid-19 pandemic for the past three years would come back to track anytime soon.

The District Administration Office, Kathmandu on August 10 had decided to bar all the public and private vehicles from plying the roads after 8 pm from Thursday to stem the surge of Covid-19 and to allow the grocery among other shops to open till 7 pm.

The country’s transportation, hotel and tourism sector have been hit hard by the Covid-19 pandemic.

Though the Covid-19 cases are increasing day by day, the political parties’ have still been holding conference and gatherings in various parts of the country.

All the private organisations have been demanding that the government should allow the business to run by providing vaccines to the business owners.

Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry, Confederation of Nepalese Industries and Nepal Chamber of Commerce have been demanding vaccines with the government.

The chamber has demanded the government provide 10 percent of the vaccines imported to Nepal from other countries to the private sector.

Meanwhile, Rajendra Malla, Chairman of Nepal Chamber of Commerce, said that the government can not control the surge of Covid-19 cases merely by extending the lockdown.

“The government cannot control the spread of Covid-19 cases just by extending the lock down. The government should allow the business owners to run their businesses by using masks and maintaining the distance,” he said, adding, “It will be impractical to bar the vehicles after 8 pm.”

“Do infections increase in Kathmandu Valley after 8pm? And do they decrease in the morning?” he questioned.

Naresh Katwal, President of the Nepal National Traders Federation, said that the entrepreneurs would not remain a mute spectator if government imposed the lockdown again.

SSP Basanta Bahadur Kunwar of Nepal Police said that it was the duty of Nepal Police to implement the decision made by the government.