WITHOUT F EAR OR FAVOUR

Nepal’s largest selling English daily Vol XXVIII No. 41 | 8 pages | Rs.5 O O Printed simultaneously in Kathmandu, Biratnagar, Bharatpur and Nepalgunj 35.0 C 1.9 C Monday, April 06, 2020 | 24-12-2076 Dhangadi Jumla Despite fiascos and rising Covid-19 cases, Oli maintains a stony silence At a time when world leaders are regularly assuaging the fears of their citizens through regular addresses, Oli last appeared in public on March 20, over two weeks ago.

TIKA R PRADHAN KATHMANDU, APRIL 5

The Covid-19 pandemic might have forced entire cities under lockdown and drastically changed peoples’ lives but the government has yet to do things differently, embroiled as it is in a series of controversies. Even while his ministers are getting widely criti- cised in the press and in public for their alleged involvement in corrup- tion even at a time of crisis, Prime POST FILE PHOTO Minister KP Sharma Oli has main- Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli tained a stony silence. The last time Oli appeared before mean that he lacks the confidence to the public was on March 20, in a tele- answer questions, say ruling party vised address to the nation. Since then insiders. POST PHOTO: HEMANTA SHRESTHA the country has reported nine Covid- “The prime minister does not have A view of the Patan Durbar Square in Lalitpur. The popular site is devoid of visitors due to the ongoing lockdown amid the global coronavirus pandemic. 19 cases, including one locally trans- the answers to recent fiascos,” said mitted, and his ministers have been Mani Thapa, a Nepal Communist accused of corruption. Party (NCP) Standing Committee And yet, Oli has not spoken. Instead, member. “He’s maintaining silence on Friday, President Bidya Devi because he cannot face the questions Bhandari addressed the nation, only that are being asked.” Poor quarantine facilities could themselves to invite criticism from many who And it is not just the public demand- said it was the prime minister’s job to ing answers; ruling party leaders allay people’s fears. themselves have raised questions over Oli is largely avoiding public the actions of Defence Minister become outbreak hotspots, doctors warn appearances as he is still recovering Ishwar Pokhrel and Health Minister from his kidney transplant, but his Bhanubhakta Dhakal, two of Oli’s reluctance to even issue a public mes- closest confidantes in government. In quarantine, people are closely packed into small spaces and they continue to share things sage via television or digitally could >> Continued on page 4 like cigarettes, raising the risk of the virus spreading among them.

ARJUN POUDEL “A single infected person can easily complained that the federal govern- KATHMANDU, APRIL 5 pass the virus to several others.” ment’s failure to properly define what Over the last few days, people in constitutes quarantine and isolation Of the three people who tested posi- large numbers have arrived from had created confusion regarding what tive for Covid-19 on Saturday, two—a India. Though after the lockdown kind of facilities they were supposed 21-year-old man from Kailali who had thousands of them have been stopped to set up. returned from Mumbai and a 41-year- on the other side of the border, those People are generally kept in quaran- old man from Kanchanpur who who made it to Nepal have been placed tine when they are suspected to have returned from Uttarakhand, India-- in quarantine facilities where they are been exposed to the disease but are not had spent 11 days in quarantine when living in close proximity with each ailing. They are generally kept in iso- they came down with symptoms. other and sharing many things, lation once they come down with There were, however, 44 people in including cigarettes and chewing symptoms and test positive for the the quarantine facility in Kailali and tobacco. In some instances, people in diseases. But the government has used 13 in Kanchanpur, with these patients. quarantine are even sharing beds, the terms isolation and quarantine “Such quarantine facilities where according to Pun. interchangeably. For instance, the we are keeping people in the dozens “Such negligence can jeopardise the Health Ministry’s Covid-19 online por- are risky,” said Dr Sher Bahadur Pun, lives of many others,” said Pun. “We tal says that 113 people are currently a virologist at Sukraraj Tropical and have locked down the entire nation to in isolation, but it is unclear what Infectious Disease Hospital in Teku. contain the risks but have failed to exactly that entails. manage proper quarantine Dr Mingmar Gyelgen Sherpa, for- facilities. This defeats the whole mer director of the Department of purpose of lockdown and social Health Services, agrees that the quar- distancing.” antine facilities built in most districts The government has not yet are problematic. defined quarantine, isolation “We should manage those centres and social distancing properly, properly to curb the spread of disease,” nor has it arranged for proper Sherpa told the Post. “Otherwise, those quarantine facilities in various quarantine facilities themselves can districts outside the Valley. become outbreak hotspots.” About a week ago, after the In much the same way that the gov- fourth case was detected in ernment has failed to provide proper Dhangadhi, Dr Gunaraj quarantine facilities, social distanc- Awasthi, health director of ing remains contested in Nepal. Sudurpaschim Province, had >> Continued on page 4 Winter crops lie unharvested in the fields as the lockdown forces farmers indoors There are many who say that farmers should be allowed to work in the fields, as there is little danger of contracting Covid-19 while working five or six feet apart.

ly imposed until April 7, has forced tens of thousands of farmers indoors and away from their fields while also creating a shortage of hired labourers to work in the fields. The agriculture sector, which con- tributes 27 percent to the country’s GDP, has already been affected by the comparatively low summer output, of paddy in particular, caused by the delayed monsoon, floods and disease. Now, the Covid-19 pandemic has fur- ther dampened the prospects of a good spring harvest to make up for the sum- mer months. Wheat is cultivated in over 900,000 hectares of land and it is currently harvest season. “The crops will soon wither away,” said Chaudhary. “But what else can we POST FILE PHOTO do but let them die? It’s not safe to go As crops are getting ready to reap, farmers have been locked down in their homes. outside given the current situation.” Shivaraj Bhatta, another farmer in SANGAM PRASAIN yields. But now, he is worried. The Kailali, said that most labourers had KATHMANDU, APRIL 5 ongoing nationwide lockdown returned to their native villages due to enforced by the government to contain the lockdown and there was no one to Hari Narayan Chaudhary’s standing the spread of the coronavirus means work the fields. “Even if we could hire wheat crop in Kailali is ready for har- that he won’t be able to harvest or help, it wouldn’t be wise at this time,” vest. Due to the abundant winter rains transport the grain. said Bhatta. this year, he was upbeat about higher The nationwide lockdown, current- >> Continued on page 4

C M Y K MONDAY, APRIL 06, 2020 | 02 MEDLEY

Inside the Post Quote of the day

Government to divert Rs 136b budget to anti-Covid-19 efforts, National Page 3

The government has decided to divert Rs 136 billion from its annual budget to fund efforts to combat the effects of coronavirus. However, the entire amount “As revenue is also supposed to dip due may not be available as revenue collection is also expected to suffer. to lack of economic activities, we cannot Opinion confirm how much amount can be diverted Uncertainty is a condition that people in this new world deal with in a far worse from the allocated budget headings.” manner than any previous generation in history. The spread of panic, false content, abuse of faith based narratives, and many more have had a multiplier effect on heightening the fear factor this time. Finance Joint Secretary Dhani Ram Sharma on the government’s Money plan to divert a part of the annual budget to combat Covid-19 . Poultry farmer Karna Bogati was forced to destroy 1,500 chickens as he wasn’t able to feed or sell them. The 41-year-old entrepreneur said that his 2,000 birds were 53 days ready for the market when the lockdown happened. Most read online World US President Donald Trump warned Americans to brace for a “very horrendous” With first case of local transmission, window to prevent a mass number of coronavirus deaths in the coming days, as Queen Elizabeth II outbreak is fast closing, public health experts say delivered a rare speech on Sunday aimed at rallying hard-hit Britain. The Health Ministry on Saturday confirmed three more cases of Covid-19, tak- ing the total number of coronavirus cases identified in the country to nine. Sports According to the ministry, the three patients are a 21-year-old man from Kailali; a 41-year-old man from Kanchanpur; and a 34-year-old woman from Kailali. Simon Halep is trying to look on the bright side regarding the suspension of the tennis season due to the coronavirus pandemic, which means at least she will be referred to as reigning Wimbeldon champion for two years. President Bhandari addresses the nation but many are saying it should’ve been Prime Minister Oli President Bidya Devi Bhandari on Friday evening made a sudden address to the nation, saying that the coronavirus could not spread in Nepal because of the government’s strong policies and preparations. At a time when the government News Quiz of KP Sharma Oli is being widely criticised for a series of controversies, Bhandari defended the government, leading many to question the intention of POST PHOTO: ANISH REGMI the President addressing the nation at such a critical juncture. 1. Who has been elected the new b. Baglung A man delivers cooking gas cylinders to homes on the 13th day of the nationwide leader of the UK’s Labour c. Kailali lockdown in Swayambhu, Kathmandu, on Sunday. Party? d. Bhaktapur Rapid Covid-19 diagnostic tests to be launched in Baglung, a. Jeremy Corbin Kanchanpur and Kailali b. Keir Starmer 5. Which of the following coun- c. Harriet Harman tries has not reported a single The government has decided to launch large-scale rapid diagnostic tests in three d. Ed Miliband Covid-19 case yet? On this day in history districts where Covid-19 cases have been confirmed. The decision, according to a. Kazakhstan finance and communication Minister Yubraj Khatiwada, was taken on Saturday 2. For how many weeks has Dubai b. Tajikistan as four people from tested positive for Covid-19 in the last three days. imposed lockdown starting c. Azerbaijan Saturday night to prevent the d. Kyrgyzstan India unwilling to provide sugar under quota system, Garbage collectors who make sure diseases don’t spread are spread of Covid-19? 6. FIFA has raised the age limit price likely to go up a. Two for the men’s football tourna- now at risk of contracting Covid-19 b. Four ment at the rescheduled Tokyo While most of Kathmandu has been forced indoors by the lockdown, Babu Pode c. Six Olympics to what age? KATHMANDU - The price of sugar is likely to shoot up this year with India unwill- still leaves home every day at 5:30 am. He goes to Kalimati, then Teku hospital d. One a. 20 ing to provide sugar under the quota system. and up to Tripureshwor, collecting garbage. Pode is one 835 garbage collectors b. 23 The government of India has already informed the Nepalese government that and sweepers employed by the Kathmandu Metropolitan City. 3. How many people have tested c. 22 it cannot provide sugar to Nepal under the quota system, a high-level Ministry positive for Covid-19 in d. 24 of Supplies source said. Sudurpaschim Province until India has, however, given Nepal permission to purchase sugar from its open Saturday? market despite its policy of not exporting sugar, the source said. a. Three Earlier, Nepal used to receive 20 to 30 thousand metric tons of sugar from Corrections b. Five India under the quota system. c. Seven Our reporters and editors do their best to make sure our reporting is free from d. Four The Kathmandu Post errors. But when we make mistakes that warrant correction, we will be transparent April 6, 1995 and clarify at the bottom of the specific article. 4. Which district witnessed the If you believe we have got something wrong and it requires correction, please first case of local transmission email us at [email protected] with “correction” in the subject line. of Covid-19 in Nepal? Answers to News Quiz: 1(b), 2(a), 3(d), 4(c), 5(b), 6(d) For the most recent corrections, visit kathmandupost.com/corrections. a. Kathmandu REUTERS HOROSCOPE ARIES (March 21-April 19) CANCER (June 22-July 22) LIBRA (September 23-October 22) CAPRICORN (December 22-January 19) ***** *** *** *** Don’t be surprised if you start feeling more You might have to do twice the work to get half If your current projects aren’t making you feel It’s sometimes difficult for you to accept change, emotionally connected to the people around the results today, but you won’t mind expending fulfilled, just stick with them! This is a chance especially when it involves saying goodbye . But you. The stars are sending you strong, compas- the extra effort. Work will bring you joy today, to develop your patience. Plus, sooner or later things change, and people move in new direc- sionate energy that is going to connect you with especially if there is physical labour involved. things will start to gain some traction and tions, and you need to accept that. Besides, the the people who understand you best. This is a Your mind will be set free if your hands are you’ll start to feel a growing sense of future transitions that are happening in your life right wonderful time for a family dinner. busy building, shaping, or cleaning. possibilities. now could have positive long-term results.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20) LEO (July 23-August 22) SCORPIO (October 23-November 21) AQUARIUS (January 20-February 18) **** **** *** **** A culture clash could be a very positive experi- Scientists always perform their experiments in When you enter a very familiar situation today, If something is broken, you need to fix it right ence for you today. You’re likely to find out controlled environments, and you should do the try not to control it. You might know exactly away and then get on with your life. The path about someone from another country who has a same today. Whatever your theories, they what to do, but everyone needs to feel like a you’re on right now has a few distractions and lot to offer you, either in terms of your career or deserve to be explored in a realistic and honest part of the decision-making process. Its impor- pitfalls, so you don’t have time to waste on trying your romantic life. If possible, plan to spend way. Test a recent hypothesis without letting tant not to bend over backwards to get along to figure out the best way to improve a situation some time socialising. anyone else in on your plan. with everyone. that’s less than perfect.

GEMINI (May 21-June 21) VIRGO (August 23-September 22) SAGITTARIUS (November 22-December 21) PISCES (February 19-March 20) *** *** *** **** Even if you feel pressured to spend money today, If someone asks you to help organise some- Just because you and your close friend or part- Your creativity is a blessing today. It will allow avoid doing so. You need to keep yourself away thing, you might not like the sound of the pro- ner have a conflict every once in a while, that you to have fun and get out of an unpleasant from spending temptations. Being tight with posal, but you should still jump at the opportu- doesn’t mean that the two of you are mis- assignment that you may have been dreading. money isn’t a bad thing, and you’re quite clever nity to get involved. Five minutes into the task, matched. The fact is, people, disagree from Don’t waste a single second before you go away about figuring out ways to pinch pennies here you could be very glad you did. Right now, your time to time, but that doesn’t mean they don’t from the responsibilities and toward the blissful and there. Use your creativity to save your cash! ability to organise is incredibly sharp. care about each other. good times that await.

CROSSWORD SUDOKU

YESTERDAY’S SOLUTION

C M Y K 03 | MONDAY, APRIL 06, 2020 NATIONAL

With three new cases Measles outbreak kills two children and infects over of coronavirus, Valley police get stricter 150 in Chepang settlements of Dhading district with lockdown ANUP OJHA The Chepang families fear that the global Covid-19 pandemic is overshadowing the outbreak of measles-rubella in these settlements. KATHMANDU, APRIL 5

HARIHAR SINGH RATHORE After three more cases of Covid-19 DHADING, APRIL 5 were confirmed in Kailali and Kanchanpur on Saturday, the security Two children have died and more than arrangements in Kathmandu Valley 150 infected with measles-rubella in have been made stricter, according to Chepang settlements of Benighat security agencies. Rorang Rural Municipality in Dhading The total number of positive coro- since its outbreak one and a half navirus cases has reached nine in months ago. Nepal. “Eight-month-old Sushant Chepang According to the Metropolitan from Ward No. 4 of the rural munici- Traffic Police Office, Rani Pokhari, it pality died on March 24, and 29-month- took action against 2,292 people from old Anisha Chepang from Ward No. 6 Kathmandu, Bhaktapur and Lalitpur died on March 30,” said Shankhar for defying the lockdown rule on Duwadi, the health coordinator of the Sunday, the 13th day of the nationwide rural municipality. “Wards 1, 4, 5 and 6 lockdown. of the rural municipality have been Police booked 1,881 people in severely affected by the outbreak.” Kathmandu, 178 in Bhaktapur and 233 In Ward No. 6, most of the infected in Lalitpur. children are from Tarketar, Bungpung, Bhume Danda, Bumrang, Soldanda, Rotesh, Ruding and Jarung, according 18,876 people booked to Duwadi. “The outbreak was detected when for lockdown breach four children were brought to the basic health centre at Chadauri in in the past 13 days. Ward No. 7 on February 18,” said Duwadi. “A team of health workers from the rural municipality had Deputy Inspector General Bishwa reached the affected areas, including Raj Pokharel, also the chief at the Rotesh and Soldanda, the next day to traffic police office, said police have contain the disease.” taken a strong measure for the safety According to Duwadi, 45 children of the population. were found infected with measles in “We will not let anyone inside the the area. Valley from any of the entry “Of them, we carried out blood tests points, except for essential services of seven,” Duwadi said, “Two of them and emergency situations,” said who were in critical condition were Pokharel. sent to Kanti Bal Hospital in Police report shows that in the past Kathmandu for treatment.” 13 days a total of 18,876 people were Dhading was declared fully immu- booked for violating the lockdown, of nised on December 2, 2017, by Deepak which 15,816 were male and 3,530 Bohara, then Minister for Health and female. Population, amid an event attended by Similarly, 3,241 two wheelers and leaders from all political parties and 332 vehicles were impounded for senior bureaucrats from the Ministry breaching the lockdown. of Health and Population. POST PHOTO: HARIHAR SINGH RATHORE “Only vehicles offering essential “However, every year there is an A health worker examines a baby at one of the Chepang settlements affected by the measles outbreak in Dhading. services, like water tankers, ambu- outbreak of measles-rubella in lances, garbage trucks, fuel tankers, Chepang settlements because most of “Since the Chepang settlements are vaccines against the viral disease. nate all children below the age of five replenish their food stock. and vehicles transporting milk, food- the children have not been vaccinat- in remote areas and difficult to reach The local unit says that it has immu- against measles and other diseases.” The Chepang families in the rural stuffs and patients are allowed on the ed,” says Tilak Chepang, who teaches for health workers, most Chepang nised around 200 children in the rural Anisha’s parents, 60-year-old Shanta municipality fear that the global pan- roads,” said Superintendent of Police at Shankar Devi Secondary School in families do not receive regular immu- municipality after the outbreak a Bahadur Chepang and his 30-year-old demic is overshadowing the outbreak Bhim Prasad Dhakal. Benighat. Chairman of Benighat nisation services. This causes out- month and a half ago. Laxman wife Soltimaya, say their four other of measles-rubella in these settle- To enforce the lockdown orders, Ward No. 6 Dev Krishna Aale says breaks to occur every year,” said Aale. Bhattarai, chief administrative officer daughters are still bedridden because ments. “None of my children is Nepal Police has deployed 9,500 police none of the Chepang children in the Out of the 77 districts, 58, including of Benighat Rorang Rural of measles. Their situation has been immunised, and this lockdown has personnel throughout the Valley. The ward were vaccinated before the out- Dhading, were declared fully immu- Municipality, said, “We will launch an further exacerbated by the nationwide made it harder for us to seek medical Armed Force Police personnel have break. Out of the 500 households in nised where all children under 15 immunisation campaign after the end lockdown, with the family running treatment for our children,” Soltimaya also been deployed to enforce the the ward, 350 are Chepangs. months of age were given routine of the nationwide lockdown and vacci- out of food and no other means to said. lockdown. Government to divert Rs 136 billion Melamchi likely to face more delays budget to anti-Covid-19 measures as workers leave project site Funds for land acquisition, vehicle procurement and events to go for the disease control. Just as the project was on course to meeting its completion deadline of mid-July, workers PRITHVI MAN SHRESTHA Sharma, a joint secretary at the said that construction work under the KATHMANDU, APRIL 5 Ministry of Finance. Postal Highways and roads under the have left project site due to the lockdown triggered by Covid-19 pandemic, officials say. In its budget for FY 2019/2020, the Kathmandu Road Expansion Project The government has decided to divert government had allocated the could be affected due to the latest gov- CHANDAN KUMAR MANDAL Rs 136 billion from its annual budget Rs 136.60 billion, which it now plans to ernment decision. KATHMANDU, APRIL 5 allocations to fund efforts to combat divert, under 14 titles such as recur- Keshav Kumar Sharma, director the effects of the coronavirus rent contingencies (Rs 29.39 billion), general at the department said that The much-awaited Melamchi Water epidemic. programme expenses (Rs 28.26 billion) the road department won’t face much Supply Project is bracing for yet The finance ministry last week noti- and land acquisition (Rs 28 billion). problems because of the budget cuts. another delay as the ongoing lock- fied government agencies that the Now, the budget allocated under the “For us, the bigger problem is that we down in light of the Covid-19 pandem- budget allocated under 14 headings 14 titles can only be spent in cases won’t be able to implement most of ic has affected work at the site. such as land and vehicle procurement where liability had already been creat- the ongoing projects due to the lock- The halt comes at a time when the and organisation of seminars has ed by April 2. down,” he added. project was on course to meeting the been frozen to divert funds to prevent The latest decision is likely to affect The last four-five fives months of latest deadline of mid-July for supply- the spread of the contagious virus and a host of projects including the the fiscal is the time when develop- ing water to Kathmandu Valley. to treat the infected. 1200MW Budhigandaki Hydropower ment activities speed up every year. Releasing a white paper on the nation- However, the entire amount may not Project, which still needs to distribute According to Sharma, the depart- al pride project, Water Supply be available to the government as rev- compensation for land acquisition. ment also had plans to purchase some Minister Bina Magar, in February, had enue collection is also expected to The government had allocated Rs 13 vehicles, but that can’t materialise vowed that water from the Melamchi suffer due to the epidemic, and the billion to compensate people affected following the recent decision by the river would reach Valley households government is yet to ascertain the size by the national pride project. government. by the end of the current fiscal year. of liabilities already created based on According to Ritesh Rawal, informa- Besides diverting the funds, the gov- However, the fresh deadline is the original budget. tion officer at the Budhigandaki pro- ernment also plans to generate unlikely to be met as the majority of “As revenue is also supposed to dip ject, the project has so far provided resources in partnership with provin- workers have left the project site, fol- due to lack of economic activities, we compensation to owners of 46,671 cial and local governments, mobilise lowing the lockdown imposed by the cannot confirm how much amount ropanis of the 58,153 ropanis acquired money available with the Prime government to contain the spread of can be diverted from the allocated for the project. Minister Disaster Relief Fund, public Covid-19. budget headings,” said Dhani Ram Likewise, the Department of Roads enterprises and provided by donors. According to Rajendra Prasad Pant, senior divisional engineer and infor- mation officer with the Melamchi Water Development Board, the main body responsible for implementing the national pride project, work has been hit due to lockdown after work- ers have returned home and construc- tion materials are over. POST FILE PHOTO “The project work was going The project aims to supply 170 million litres of water daily to Kathmandu Valley in first phase. smoothly. Required construction materials were also stored for some from faraway districts remain strand- tested and subsequently left the site as days,” said Pant. “But as the fear of ed,” said Pant. “However, the lack of they did not want to stay in the camp coronavirus infection grew bigger and construction materials has affected under lockdown but only wanted to workers started panicking and many the project now. Even those who have work,” said the engineer. “Work has of them left, work remains suspended left the site cannot immediately return remained affected at the Gyalthum at the moment.” to work.” and Sindhu sites. Nearly 50 workers The project has long been embroiled Although the board official agrees are planning to leave the site on in a controversy and marred by sever- that the disturbance will affect the April 9.” al delays over the years. Currently, the completion deadline, he refused to say Once completed, the Melamchi pro- Chinese contractor Sinohydro how long the delay might be. ject will divert 170 million litres of Corporation Ltd has been hired to fin- An engineer working with the water every day to the Kathmandu ish remaining works after the Italy- Chinese contractor told the Post that Valley from Melamchi River in based Cooperativa Muratori e the delay might be of a minimum two Sindhupalchok district in the first Cementisti di Ravenna (CMC) aban- months. phase. Currently finishing work doned the project in December 2018 “Now the water from Melamchi will inside the tunnel and headworks is over a financial dispute with the gov- not reach Kathmandu in mid-July as going on. ernment. said earlier, but only during Dashain,” Now, the Melamchi Board looks up The hiring of Chinese contractors, said the worker, who did not want to to the government decision of allow- six months after terminating the con- be identified fearing action from the ing major projects to operate even in tract with the Italian contractor, was contractor. “The Chinese have contin- the lockdown period. expected to expedite the project. ued working. “The project has been affected but According to Pant, nearly 50 According to him, as the lockdown there is still time to catch up. As the Chinese workers are still at the site began local workers started protesting government has said that work at whereas the majority of 300 domestic fearing coronavirus infection. major projects could continue, we will workers have gone home. Workers’ camp and project site were soon transport construction materi- “Those workers still at the site had placed under lockdown, barring the als,” said Pant. POST PHOTO: PRAKASH CHANDRA TIMILSENA been living in confinement. Workers entry of outsiders. “We have communicated the matter People without the means to feed themselves during the lockdown line up for free food being distributed by Marwari Samaj in Pashupati, from Sindhupalchok and nearby dis- “Those who stayed back are work- with all stakeholders and are facilitat- Kathmandu, on Sunday. tricts managed to go back but those ing in a safe environment. Others pro- ing them so that work resumes soon.”

C M Y K MONDAY, APRIL 06, 2020 | 04 NATIONAL

POST PHOTOS: PARBAT PORTEL Workers seen at a tea garden owned by Tokla Tea Estate in Jhapa. They were called to work by the estate on Friday, despite the ongoing nationwide lockdown to contain the coronavirus spread. Province 5 tightens security along border Despite fiascos and rising ... >> Continued from page 1 insist that the prime minister’s silence But the ruling communist party has has nothing to do with a lack of confi- not held any internal meetings for the dence and everything to do with his past two weeks. The last time the health. as people’s movement continues party held its Secretariat meeting was But Maharjan is not buying that on March 18, but no significant issues argument. Nepali authorities say they are concerned about the free movement of people as the Kolhui Bazaar in India, were discussed in that meeting, except “Even if he cannot work due to his to instruct the government to take illness, people have the right to know which lies just across the border, reported six Covid-19 patients on Saturday. appropriate measures to fight the that,” said Maharjan. coronavirus. According to Maharjan, the prime “I have urged both the chairs to call minister cannot hold the country hos- MADHAV DHUNGANA a meeting before it’s too late,” Narayan tage and if he is unable to carry out BHAIRAHAWA, APRIL 5 Kaji Shrestha, the party spokesper- his duties because of his health, he son, told the Post. “But I have not should hand over the responsibility to Border closures and lockdowns received any information about a someone else. enforced by the governments of Nepal meeting yet, and I don’t think it’s Leaders from the Oli camp also and India to prevent the spread of going to happen anytime soon.” believe that the prime minister is Covid-19 have not stopped the National leaders across the world waiting for party Chairman Pushpa cross-border movements of people at have been at the forefront, communi- Kamal Dahal to make a move, as he some border points in Province 5. cating regularly with their citizens suspects Dahal could be orchestrating Nepali security forces say they and trying to assure them of the meas- the government’s controversies. It is are concerned about the free move- ures they are taking. In Nepal, observ- in Chairman Oli’s nature to comment ment of people along the border, as ers say, communication from the gov- on various issues so his silence must the Kolhui Bazaar in India, which lies ernment has not just been poor but mean something more, they say. just across the border, reported also ominous, given the prime minis- “Some of Oli’s aides believe that six Covid-19 patients on Saturday. ter’s silence on controversies sur- Khumaltar [Dahal’s residence] is District administrations in Province 5 rounding his confidantes and a possi- behind all these controversies so I have said they are further tightening ble outbreak of Covid-19. think Oli is waiting things out,” said the open border and deploying “It’s very irresponsible of the prime Hemraj Bhandari, a central commit- security personnel in areas where the minister to not come out and assure tee member. “He could be waiting for movement of people across the border POST PHOTO: MADHAV DHUNGANA the people in such times,” said the next move so that he can make a is high. Nepali security officials and their Indian counterparts have held discussions on tightening the border on both sides. Rajendra Maharjan, a political com- case that some leaders are trying to Province 5 Chief Minister Shankar mentator. “As a leader, he cannot avoid create instability.” Pokharel has said he has been holding Rupandehi shares about 60km of in Marchbar. Prior to the lockdown, In Banke too, the district adminis- the people’s as well as his own party But leaders who have close relations discussions with administration border with India. This is the first people from both the countries moved tration has added security forces in all leaders’ questions.” with Oli are also uncomfortable with officers of districts that share a bor- time the Nepal-India border has been across the border for shopping and the border crossings, said CDO Kumar The silence is very unlike Oli, who the prime minister’s silence and are der with India about maintaining high tightened to this extent. India, too, has trade purposes. Bahadur Khadka. has a penchant to comment and make of the opinion that he needs to go pub- vigilance and monitoring. increased its security presence along Jitendra Nath Shukla, chief of “We have deployed additional APF light of issues. lic, and soon. “We are now compelled to intensify the border. On Thursday, a meeting Sammarmai Rural Municipality, said personnel since the lockdown hasn’t “It is surprising,” said a former “We realise that the prime minister patrolling to stop people from moving between Nepali security officials and that despite the border closure, people stopped the movement of people along member of Oli’s Cabinet. “With so needs to come forward and clarify the across the border, as the bordering their Indian counterpart held discus- have been using proxy routes to cross the border,” Khadka said. Banke many questions being raised, the controversies,” said Mahesh Basnet, a towns in India have reported new sions on tightening the border on both the border in the night. “We have shares a 65 km long border with India. party should come to a conclusion to former minister and central commit- cases,” Rupandehi CDO Mahadev sides. received tip-offs that about a dozen Other districts in the province, such rearrange the government. But both tee member who is an Oli confidante. Pantha said. “We have deployed more Kolhui Bazaar, which reported six people have been crossing the border as Kapilvastu and Bardiya, have also the party and the government aren’t “We are planning to advise the prime security personnel at the bordering Covid-19 cases on Saturday, lies about daily,” Shukla said. “We are commit- deployed additional security person- saying anything.” minister to address the concerns of areas.” seven km from the Nepal-India border ted to control that.” nel at the border. Those from the Oli camp, however, the people as well as party leaders.” Poor quarantine ... Mustang locals, village heads impose own rules to control Covid-19 >> Continued from page 1 The government has imposed a Residents have also restricted the movement of their own relatives who had migrated to warmer climates during the winter. nationwide lockdown, shutting down schools, public transport, movie theatres, stadiums and forced people indoors, but GHANASHYAM KHADKA entry, setting up checkpoints at various shops selling daily essentials are allowed MYAGDI, APRIL 5 spots. to open a few hours in the morning and According to the rule, anybody who returns evening, creating crowds of people at these Every year during winter, hundreds of people to the rural municipality has to stay 14 days in times. living in the upper reaches of Mustang migrate quarantine facilities. Even the local representa- “Avoiding mass gatherings and main- downhill towards warmer climes. This year, tives are asked to self-quarantine themselves. taining distance constitute social distanc- just as they made their annual winter migra- The locals have also restricted the movement of ing,” said Sherpa. “But if there are crowds tion, the infection caused by the novel coronavi- their own relatives who had migrated to warm- at grocery stores, how can we get the rus (SARS-CoV-2) was spreading across er climates during the winter. In case anybody desired result?” the world. Since then the virus has travelled wants to return, they have to compulsorily stay Testing everyone who has returned from rapidly infecting over a million people and kill- in quarantine facilities. countries with active outbreaks, including ing thousands, forcing many governments to The lockdown and self-isolation regulation India, while placing them in proper quar- enforce extensive lockdowns to stop the virus have halted the daily administrative works in antine facilities is the only way to prevent outbreak. many parts of the district. the coronavirus from spreading in the In Nepal, too, the government has imposed a “We don’t have contact with Lo Manthang community, said Sherpa. lockdown, which has barred many people from Rural Municipality in Upper Mustang and Dr Bikash Devkota, spokesperson for the Upper Mustang from returning to their villages. Damodarkunda Rural Municipality since the Health Ministry, said that the ministry was Some say they have been told not to return by local units are vacant,” Chief District Officer aware of the concerns expressed from sev- their own relatives owing to fears of the viral Bed Prasad Aryal said. “This is making it diffi- eral quarters regarding the condition of disease. cult to carry out day-to-day operations.” quarantine facilities. “As many as 276 people from Upper Mustang The three local units in the lower belt of “No doubt, such facilities should meet are currently stuck in Pokhara,” Indradhara POST PHOTO: GHANASHYAM KHADKA the district have quarantined 85 people who minimum standards,” he said at a regular Bista, an assembly member at Gandaki Many rural municipalities in Mustang district have restricted entry, setting up checkpoints at various points. had recently returned from abroad. Moreover, press briefing on Sunday. “We will request Province, said. “Many of them are teachers, the village heads have announced monetary provincial and local governments to ensure local representatives and farmers.” tion in the district has been severely affected, where the ‘Mukhiya’ tradition is still in fines against anybody who provides shelter to that standards are met and that these facil- Since many of the government officials and Bista said. practice—have imposed their own rules. people incoming from other districts and ities are monitored.” teachers have yet to return, daily administra- Amid this, village heads in the district— Many rural municipalities have restricted abroad. Winter crops lie unharvested in the fields as the lockdown forces farmers ...

>> Continued from page 1 revised Nepal’s economic growth by 1 according to Poudel, farmers also the fields while maintaining a safe farming households. It will therefore it will have to make other As with most other sectors, the percent to 5.3 percent, based on the make money supplying high value distance.” benefit the society and economy if the arrangements to ensure their liveli- ongoing lockdown is expected to hit impact of the coronavirus. Before the vegetables. A group of rights activists, civil returnees are facilitated to return to hoods, said Khanal, the former finance agriculture hard, given the halt to the spread of Covid-19, the multilateral “Two weeks from now, the peak veg- society leaders and former bureau- the farmstead,” the group said in a secretary and one of the signatories spring harvest in absence of any funding agency had estimated Nepal’s etables season begins,” he said. “But it crats, including Khanal, has also statement. of the statement. farmhands. growth at 6.3 percent this fiscal year, also seems like the vegetables will rot appealed to the government to allow “The exposure, knowledge and “But for long-term growth and “The farm labour movement has which ends mid-July, already a sharp in the fields.” farming to continue in the mountain, skills brought back by this communi- commercialisation of the agriculture virtually stopped. There are no decrease from last year’s 7.1 percent As Nepal recently reported three mid-hills and plains, as there is no ty of migrants will be of great help in sector, the government should come drivers to operate combined growth. more cases of Covid-19, including one danger of spreading the coronavirus modernising agricultural practices. A up with financial packages for big harvesters in many parts of the coun- The new 5.3 percent figure is based case of local transmission, it is not while working in the fields at a dis- strategy that builds a welcoming envi- corporate houses to engage them in try,” said Mahadev Prasad Poudel, on the current scenario with the cave- likely that the lockdown will end any tance of five or six feet. ronment for the returning youth can mass commercial production,” said senior agricultural economist at the at that the economy could slow down time soon. But some believe that farm- If and when the lockdown ends, a turn the coronavirus crisis into an Khanal. Department of Agriculture. “If the further if the situation does not ers should be allowed to go out in the large proportion of labour migrants opportunity to make the country Whether or not the government lockdown extends, farmers will not improve. fields and work, provided that they to India, the Gulf, Malaysia and else- self-sufficient in food production,” the takes a decision, farmers like even be able to plant maize and spring “Millions of tonnes of fresh vegeta- maintain proper distance. where will be returning home due to statement reads. Chaudhary say that they will be com- paddy.” bles and ready-to-harvest cereal crops “There has been scarce discussion the downturn in the global economy, Even before the lockdown was insti- pelled to go out into the fields from This will in turn lead to a slowdown will not be coming into the market,” in the public sphere about the and they will need jobs. tuted, thousands of migrants are next week, or they won’t have any food of Nepal’s economic growth, which is said Acharya. “Farmers won’t be able challenges faced by the farming “Indeed, this trend has already already estimated to have returned to grains for next year. largely driven by the agriculture sec- to sell their livestock and cattle sector,” said Rameshore Khanal, a for- begun. Nepal’s international job Nepal. “It’s not safe to go outside given the tor, said economist Keshav Acharya. either.” mer finance secretary. “The govern- migrants make up a large part of the If the government is unable to allow current situation,” said Chaudhary. The Asian Development Bank has Besides the harvest of wheat, ment has to allow farmers to go out to population and come mainly from farmers to return to their fields then “But we don’t have any other option.”

C M Y K MONDAY, APRIL 06, 2020 | 05 OPINION EDITORIAL A contrarian view to the current response

Timing is critical The focus has to be testing and Tests must be conducted in other treating more than panicking parts of the country too. and merely closing down businesses. After the coronavirus took the form of a pandemic, Nepal introduced travel restrictions and decided to put the coun- UJJWAL K CHOWDHURY try under lockdown to ensure that the disease was restrict- ed to those with a travel history and their immediate con- tacts. But with the first case of local transmission seen on April 4 in Kanchanpur, Nepal is now at the second stage of the coronavirus outbreak. According to the Health Ministry, three more cases of Some 4.5 billion people around the world COVID-19 have surfaced, taking the total number of cases to are under lockdown now. The fear of the nine. Of those testing positive on April 4, one was a 34-year- Covid-19 pandemic and the fear of the economic recession setting in throwing old woman from Kailali who is a relative of a person who millions of people out of a job have vir- had earlier tested positive for the virus. Keeping up with the tually gripped the world. recent developments, a Cabinet meeting on Saturday decid- The purpose here is not at all to down- play the pandemic. It has to be combated, ed to conduct mass tests in three districts—two in and the key ways are well-known by Sudurpaschim province and one in Gandaki province— now—social distancing, regular where the majority of COVID-19 cases have been reported. hand-washing, quarantines and closing down travel. A lockdown in places where There are usually four stages in the spread of the corona- there are signs of community spreading virus. Stage 1 is where only those who have travelled to is definitely desirable. But there is a con- virus-hit countries test positive. Stage 2 is where there are trarian view as well. Is the virus so viru- lent and dangerous that it called for such cases of local transmission. At this stage, fewer people are an aggressive all encompassing infected and the source of the virus is known, making it response? easier to trace and contain the disease by means of self-quar- It is observed that the coronavirus affects mostly people with pre-existing antining like in the case above. Once community transmis- conditions. Since this is a respiratory sion begins, countries are known to enter Stage 3. This is ailment that leads to thick mucous where things escalate quickly as it’s difficult to track the around the trachea and the lungs, those with regular smoking habits are suscep- source and the disease spreads exponentially. Ultimately, tible to the disease more. when the infection takes the form of an epidemic with no Until now, coronavirus strains have clear end point, countries will have entered the final stage, not been able to thrive in hot climates; hence, it seems that in warmer coun- that is Stage 4. tries, the fatality rate is considerably COVID-19 is a newly identified pathogen, and there is no lower than in other places so far. SHUTTERSTOCK known pre-existing immunity in humans. Also, some infect- Undoubtedly, in developing nations, low There have been many pandemics in 4,000. Today, Wuhan seems safer than China, Japan and South Korea, rather testing is a big problem. It is also to be human history, many of them far, far New York. than a complete national lockdown crip- ed people do not show signs even for two-three weeks. It is noted that by quick testing, identifying worse than this one (in terms of fatali- A similar approach was adopted by pling the economy, like in Nepal and these factors that makes COVID-19 so dangerous as it has and quarantining the affected people, the ties). But the reaction worldwide has Japan and South Korea in identifying the India. already spread to 205 countries and territories. disease can be arrested; this has been been fraught with anxiety and panic in source and the first community affected, In the United States, a lockdown does If the experience of other countries is anything to go by, done in Japan, Singapore and South the face of the uncertainty of having no isolating them, encircling those areas, not mean a curfew. People can still move, Korea. Hence, the focus has to be testing cure or vaccination yet. conducting intense mass testing, and at a much lesser quantum, and only for one thing is very clear: Timing is critical. As we are already and treating more than panicking and Incidentally, uncertainty is a condi- quarantining and treating those identi- essential work and purchases. Offices in the second stage, if we do not nip cases in the bud, Nepal merely closing down businesses. tion that people in this new world (with fied as afflicted. But, in contrast, the still run on a skeleton staff, but social will enter the phase of what experts have been warning The virus also once again underlines mobile social media) deal with in a far Western democracies, like Italy, the distancing (rather, physical distancing) the fact that minimum human dignity in worse manner than any previous genera- United States, Spain and France did not is being practised regularly, along with about—Stage 3 where community transmissions begin and living conditions, housing, public health tion in history. The spread of panic, false have any plan in place in the first three gloves, masks and hand washing, among the country’s health care system will ultimately buckle. and sanitation are needed to ensure a content, abuse of faith based narratives to five weeks when the disease appeared, other measures. Italy and Spain are in Stage 3 right now. The situation there controlled or disease-free world. More (gomutra cure being one), and many and thereby allowed it to get into the Moreover, the World Health than the ferocity of the virus, it is the more have had a multiplier effect on mass societal transmission phase. Organisation has recently said that lock- worsened because the governments failed to take proactive ferocity of an unequal society that we heightening the fear factor this time. The coronavirus has killed the first downs don’t reduce cases by a great deal, steps when initial cases were being reported. must be worried about. The virus is actually making the world 40,000 in four months, while the World but delay the spread for a while. Accounts The fact that we are still under lockdown with limited It has also been observed that for every realise the difference between a strategic Health Organisation’s tally of common of extreme distress are already emerg- 9 out of 10 infected people, a time of two anti-disease battle and a nonchalant flu deaths is about 39,000 deaths per ing—multiple stories of migrant work- mobility will prove positive to help prevent the spread of weeks—in isolation and without major lackadaisical approach. China with month annually. What would happen if ers walking hundreds of kilometres in the disease. As of now, India is in the phase of ‘local trans- medication—is sufficient. The seriously brute force closed down Wuhan city and there was intense 24-hour media scruti- the hot sun just to go back home (with mission’ with ‘limited community transmission’. At this ill that need hospitalisation, ICU or ven- largely its province, Hubei, created in 10 ny worldwide on the common flu? What starvation as their other perceived tilator services are under 6 percent of all days a specialised hospital, isolated would it do to our minds? option). At the end of three weeks, lock- stage, relentless testing and communicating the informa- reported cases globally. So, the vast Wuhan and Hubei from the rest of China, The pain of the lockdowns could have down deaths may compete favourably tion is of utmost importance. While the government has majority of infected people can just brought in thousands of trained doctors been reduced by calling for short lock- with corona deaths, unfortunately. plans to expedite testing in the districts where most cases of recover by staying at home, with no med- and nurses from across the country, downs at an early stage of the spread so icine, but in isolation. Even seemingly and thereby restricted patients, alleged- that it would be nipped in the bud. The Chowdhury is pro-vice-chancellor COVID-19 have been seen, it must do so in all other parts of well-educated people don’t seem to grasp ly, to some 81,000. The total number of lockdown also could have been focused of the Kolkata-based Adamas the country too. this properly. reported deaths have been less than on certain areas of initial spread as in University, India.

The world after coronavirus

tion of entertainment industries from The current Covid-19 movie theatres, music concerts and reality shows. The tourism industry pandemic is certain to too will demand innovation for people to commute, lodge and dine. Economic bring a permanent change developments will also be driven by the changes in society as business will in the world. focus on supplying the demand creat- ed by these changes. Environmentally, the lockdown will ADARSHA BAZGAIN revive the planet earth from pollution control, repair the depletion of the ozone layer and revitalise the Amazon jungle. It may bring back the air pollu- tion level to what it was 50 years ago.

Possibility of revolution In Nepal, there is a possibility of revo- After every pandemic, the world lution as migrant workers come back becomes a better place to live in, and it and find it challenging to secure jobs. brings course corrections in politics, There is a possibility of a complete society, economics and the environ- collapse of demand for consumable ment globally. In the book Pale Raider, goods and services as remittance the British science journalist Laura inflow comes to a total halt. If the Spinney has analysed how Spanish flu migrant workers in India, who are impacted the world—like the influ- estimated to number around 5-6 mil- ence it had on India’s independence lion, return to Nepal, this will hit the that brought the world’s largest economy the hardest as they are democracy into existence. How it per- believed to be the largest contributor manently altered global politics, race accounting for 25-30 percent of the relations and family structures, cost- total remittance inflow, as per World ing between 2.5 and 5 percent of the Bank estimates. global population. In India alone, 18 This time it may not be a temporary million people died, about 6 percent of break in remittance inflow, as the its population, while an estimated countries who were offering jobs to 500,000 children were orphaned in these workers will be battling against South Africa alone. However, it the after-effects of this pandemic. It brought innovation in medical science will take years for them to revive and that helped humankind in many ways come back, and their evolved business as, at that time, life expectancy at model may not demand a large work- birth in Europe and America did not force. As the world will innovate and exceed 50 years. In other countries, it automate, this could be the right was much lower; for example, Indians opportunity to roll out full-blown arti- and Persians were considered to be ficial intelligence globally. very lucky if they got to celebrate This is also an opportunity for their 30th birthdays. SHUTTERSTOCK Nepal to transform itself from a remit- failure that could not fully protect the house, the worshipping of ani- vations in technology. For example, tion, like drone-led delivery of essen- tance-based economy to a develop- Changes may be coming them during the crisis; those who sur- mals, plants, trees and forests, and the had there been a significant develop- tial goods. Medical equipment could ment-led economy by channelling the The current Covid-19 pandemic is cer- vived will be carrying the grief of burning of the deceased. Rather than ment in commercialising artificial have been transferred to various hos- migrant workers to infrastructure tain to bring a permanent change in losing their loved ones and hence will race, people may be divided by their intelligence and robotics, the current pitals within the country or even development projects as per their the world. As always, politics is large- likely support the revolution in poli- way of life and what they eat. It is issue of medical care for virus-infect- across countries through such tech- skillset and the experience they have ly influenced by economics. With the tics and society. If the current situa- highly likely that people may move ed patients in hospitals would have nology. We can expect great develop- gained while working abroad. The current crisis, it is certain that the tion is not corrected soon, this could back to communities that follow a sim- been easily addressed by algorithmic ments in technology to overcome busi- country can attract Nepali talent economy that will come out as the be the end of capitalism. ilar way of life. programming whereby robots would ness travel, physical meetings and working around the globe by offering strongest amongst the wounded will Socially, it could bring the lifestyle Economically, governments may be taking over for part of the care of physical transactions. There is a pos- higher incentives, as there are chanc- be the number one economy in the practised by the ancient Hindus back focus on diverting defence invest- patients, reducing the need for person- sibility of extensive research and es of displacements at their current world, and it will have political influ- into the centre as people have started ments towards biological and chemi- al protective equipment. development in the field of Ayurveda stations. ence throughout the globe. This could to realise the importance of rituals cal threats, thereby bringing a trick- The latest crisis also demands mas- and herbal products to strengthen the be accepted or looked up to by global like greetings with namaskar, wash- le-down effect on industries and busi- sive developments in the delivery sys- immune system. The current crisis Bazgain is deputy general citizens as they realise the system ing the hands and legs before entering nesses. There could be massive inno- tem of goods without human interven- also demands a complete transforma- manager of Nabil Bank.

C M Y K 06 | MONDAY, APRIL 06, 2020 MONEY

FOREX US Dollar 122.28 Lockdown brings the poultry industry to a standstill Euro 132.17 Pound Sterling 149.94 Farmers in Sarlahi buried 9,000 chickens, and many other farmers were compelled to do the same. Japanese Yen 11.27 KRISHANA PRASAIN been able to add new chicks as most of Chinese Yuan 17.24 KATHMANDU, APRIL 5 the hatcheries are closed. Analysts expect a severe shortage Qatari Riyal 33.35 Poultry farmer Karna Bogati was leading to prices shooting up several Australian Dollar 73.34 forced to destroy 1,500 chickens as he fold after 40-45 days as many poultry wasn’t able to feed or sell them. The have not added new chicks. “Only 1 Malaysian Ringit 28.05 41-year-old entrepreneur, whose farm percent of the farmers have added is located at Chunnikhel, Kapan, said new chicks,” he said. Saudi Arab Riyal 32.51 that his 2,000 birds were 53 days The chicken business has been at a Exchange rates fixed by Nepal Rastra Bank ready for the market when the complete standstill for the past 11 lockdown happened. He was able to days with almost all cold stores sell 400 of them while 100 birds remain and retail meat shops in the valley PRICE PER TOLA on the farm. shuttered, he said. BULLION “I am going to suffer a loss amount- The government said that vehicles ing to Rs700,000-800,000 from the cur- carrying livestock would be allowed Fine Gold Rs 77,000 rent batch which includes production on the streets and meat shops would costs,” he said. Bogati said he owes be permitted to open, but it has not Silver Rs 720 Rs1.5 million in bank loans which he happened. “Lack of coordination borrowed for operating capital. between the various levels of govern- SOURCE: FENEGOSIDA “It is good that the government ment created difficulties to run our decided to put the country under lock- business,” he said. Banshi Sharma, down in a situation like this, but it has director general of the Department of GASOLINE WATCH created a big problem for farmers like Livestock Services, said that poultry us,” he added. farmers would have extra stocks of Another farmer Nabin Karki lost feed. The government has also listed 1,000-1,200 birds out of the 4,200 he transportation of feed, eggs and live- owned after not being able to buy med- stock as essential services. icines and feed for them. “The government plans to provide a He requires eight to nine sacks of relief package to livestock entrepre- feed daily for his chickens, but he can neurs, but this will be possible only manage only three to four sacks. after the lockdown is lifted and we can The lockdown resulted in losses get the exact data from farmers,” said totalling Rs600,000-700,000, said Karki Sharma. who runs a farm at Sana Gaun, “About 20-25 percent of the small Lalitpur. poultry farmers are on the verge of He has not bought new chicks, and leaving the business due to the cur- he has not heard about any support or POST FILE PHOTO rent situation,” said Khadka. relief package from the government Kathmandu is the largest market for chicken meat, and business has plunged by 90-95 percent as everybody is grounded. The committee is collecting statis- for small entrepreneurs like him. tics from across the country to find As the country is in lockdown and Most cold stores are closed as coordinator of the National Poultry many other farmers were compelled out the amount of losses suffered by transportation has come to a complete people are confined to their homes, Entrepreneur Struggle Committee. to do the same, but the exact numbers poultry farmers, said Khadka. halt, small poultry entrepreneurs like reducing demand for poultry across “Many poultry farmers in the Tarai are yet to come. According to the committee, there Bogati and Karki are facing tough the country. destroyed their flocks after not being Farmers in Dhangadhi are trying to are more than 500,000 small poultry times. Kathmandu is the largest market able to ship them to Kathmandu or sell unload their inventories by offering entrepreneurs in the country. They Chicken farmers are not only una- for chicken meat, and business has them locally.” live chickens for Rs25 per bird weigh- keep 2,000-2,500 chickens each; and it ble to ship their products to market, plunged by 90-95 percent as everybody According to Khadka, farmers in ing 3 kg, he added. costs Rs600,000-700,000 to produce a they cannot get feed for their flock. is grounded, said Bishnu Khadka, Sarlahi buried 9,000 chickens, and Many poultry farmers have not batch, said the committee. Shipping tycoon Trump threatens tariffs on oil imports UAE doubles stimulus to counter helps Venezuela in to ‘protect’ US energy workers coronavirus impact REUTERS leveraged US energy companies face bined in 2019, according to the US WASHINGTON, APRIL 5 bankruptcies and workers are at risk Energy Information Administration. of layoffs. After meeting with indus- Trump reiterated on Saturday quest for gas US President Donald Trump said on try executives on Friday, Trump said that Saudi Arabia had told him Saturday he would impose tariffs on he was not considering tariffs at the it had agreed with Russia to jointly crude imports if he has to “protect” moment, but it was a tool that could be reduce output by an unprecedented 10 US energy workers from the oil price used “if we’re not treated fairly.” million barrels per day or more. crash that has been exacerbated by a The countries have not confirmed war between Russia and Saudi Arabia the plan, other than saying they would over market share. As oil prices drop, discuss ways to stabilise global oil “If I have to do tariffs on oil coming markets. from outside or if I have to do some- many heavily OPEC and Russia have postponed a thing to protect our ... tens of thou- Monday meeting to discuss oil output sands of energy workers and our great leveraged US energy cuts until April 9, OPEC sources said, companies that produce all these jobs, due to a Saudi-Russia dispute over I’ll do whatever I have to do,” Trump companies face who is to blame for plunging crude told reporters in a briefing about the prices. coronavirus outbreak. bankruptcies. When oil prices started dropping Oil prices have dropped by about last month, Trump initially two-thirds this year as the pandemic emphasized it would be good for crushes demand and as major produc- Two major industry groups, the motorists. On Saturday he said gaso- ers Russia and Saudi Arabia boost American Petroleum Institute line prices could fall to 90 cents a gal- output in a war over market share. and American Fuel & Petrochemical lon and conceded that the oil price The United States in recent years Manufacturers, told Trump in crash is “going to hurt a lot of jobs in has become the world’s biggest oil a letter on Wednesday that tariffs on our country.” REUTERS producer, at times putting its exports oil imports would jeopardise the De facto OPEC leader Saudi Arabia People are seen at Global Village in Dubai. in competition with Russia and mem- domestic refining business as some and Russia would be “destroying bers of the Organization of the plants depend on crude from abroad. themselves” if they do not end the AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE Petroleum Exporting Countries, or The United States imported more 1 price war by reducing output, Trump ABU DHABI, APRIL 5 OPEC. million barrels per day of said, noting that “I couldn’t care less AP/RSS As oil prices drop, many heavily oil from Russia and Saudi Arabia com- about OPEC.” The Central Bank of the United Arab A long line of motorists wait to fill up with gasoline in Caracas, Venezuela. Emirates said on Sunday it has dou- bled to $70 billion a stimulus package ASSOCIATED PRESS Rosneft for providing a lifeline to to support the Gulf state’s economy CARACAS (VENEZUELA), APRIL 5 Maduro. Then came the coronavirus, amid the coronavirus pandemic. which sent crude prices crashing and “The aggregate value of all With gas lines across Venezuela grow- paralyzed what little was left of capital and liquidity measures adopt- ing, a controversial shipping magnate domestic production. ed by the CBUAE since 14 March 2020 has stepped in to prevent the country “In Venezuela, the only thing has reached 256 billion dirhams ($70 from running out of fuel amid the spreading faster than the coronavirus billion),” the central bank said in a coronavirus pandemic, The Associated are the gasoline shortages,” said Russ statement. Press has learned. Dallen, head of Caracas Capital Last month, oil-rich UAE announced The fuel shortage, in the nation that Markets. stimulus worth $35 billion that includ- sits atop the world largest crude In recent days, gas lines have ed aid to the banking system, facilities reserves, is the latest threat to Nicolas popped up across Caracas, which is for loans and injecting funds into the Maduro’s rule at a time he is under typically immune from days’ long bourses. intense US pressure to resign. waits common in the rest of the coun- Most of the new measures focused Wilmer Ruperti’s Maroil Trading try. Most stations had closed as sup- on easing financial and liquidity Inc. billed state-owned oil monopoly plies ran out. requirements for banks to free up cash PDVSA 12 million euros last month for At one of the few gas stations still for lending. the purchase of up to 250,000 barrels open in the capital Thursday, hun- In the new measures, the central of 95-octane gasoline, according to a dreds of cars, taxis and trucks hugged bank reduced by half to 7.0 percent copy of the invoice obtained by AP. the shoulder of a highway as heavily the reserves banks are required to The gasoline was purchased from an armed soldiers stared down motorists, keep for demand deposits, which can undisclosed Middle Eastern country, some of whom had been waiting three be withdrawn by clients anytime. said two people familiar with the days to fill up. This will allow for some $16.6 bil- transaction. They agreed to discuss Among those in the 3-kilometer lion in liquidity to be used in new the sensitive dealings only on condi- long line was Javier Serrano, who bank lending, the central bank said. tion of anonymity. relies on a beat-up blue 1968 Ford The regulator’s new measures also The single gas shipment isn’t going Falcon to eke out a meager living as a allow banks to defer payment of loans to resolve Venezuela’s supply prob- taxi driver. for companies and clients until the lems. But with the economy paralyz- “There’s a curfew at night and no end of 2020. ed, any amount of fuel is welcome public transportation,” he said. “One “The additional measures relief, analysts said. of my relatives could die at home announced today will effectively Ruperti, a former oil tanker cap- because they don’t have a vehicle.” relieve the pressure on financial insti- tain, has a history coming to the res- The government blames the gas tutions ... offering the required relief cue of Venezuela’s socialist govern- shortages on US aggression. On and continued access to funding for ment at critical junctures, something Friday, it said it was formulating a businesses and households,” new- that endeared him to the late President “special fuel supply plan” to restore ly-appointed governor Abdulhamid Hugo Chávez. stockpiles in the “shortest possible Saeed said. But his latest gambit, which could time,” allowing the nation to combat The UAE, where 1,505 coronavirus help stave off a deepening humanitar- the coronavirus. cases and 10 deaths have been report- ian crisis, is bound to irritate the While US sanctions have driven ed, has introduced strict measures Trump administration, which this away from Venezuela many estab- including halting travel and closing week doubled down on its lished shipping companies and com- shopping malls and entertainment campaign of support for opposition modity traders, Ruperti appears to be venues. leader Juan Guaidó by sending Navy little fazed. On Saturday night, Dubai, one of ships to the Caribbean on a counter- One of the documents obtained by the seven emirates making up the narcotics mission following Maduro’s AP shows his Swiss-based Maroil UAE, announced a two-week lockdown indictment in the U.S, on narcoterror- Trading AG opened accounts in dol- in which it will carry out tests in ist charges. lars, euros and rubles at Moscow- densely populated areas. Venezuela’s oil fields and refineries based Derzhava Bank in November. The bourse of Dubai has led the have crumbled from years of misman- One person said the gas that Maroil slide of the Gulf stock markets, shed- agement. More recently, fuel imports billed to PDVSA should arrive to ding 36 percent in the first quarter, have dried up as the Trump adminis- Venezuela in the coming days.Dallen most of it in March. Its UAE sister tration tightened sanctions, targeting estimates it’s enough to supply cur- RSS bourse in Abu Dhabi dropped by 26.4 two trading houses owned by Russia’s rent demand for about a week. Rajendra Poudel of Tanahau harvests honey. He has been earning Rs 200,000 annually by rearing bees. percent.

C M Y K 07 | MONDAY, APRIL 06, 2020 WORLD

BRIEFING Single

Chinese lawyer released passenger BEIJING: A leading Chinese human rights lawyer has been released from flights: The prison after almost five years behind bars, his wife said on Sunday. Wang Quanzhang, 44, was first detained in woes of airlines, 2015 in a sweeping crackdown on more than 200 lawyers and govern- ment critics in China as President Xi and the crew Jinping tightened his grip on power. still working France starts probe REUTERS into knife rampage WASHINGTON, APRIL 5 PARIS: A Sudanese refugee went on a knife rampage in a town in southeast- When Reuters photographer Carlos ern France on Saturday, killing two Barria boarded American Airlines people in what is being treated as a flight 4511 from Washington Reagan terrorist attack. The attack in broad National Airport to New Orleans on daylight took place with the country Friday for an assignment, he was the on lockdown in a bid to stem the only passenger on the 76-seat jet. spread of the deadly coronavirus. “There were some awkward Counter-terrorism prosecutors have moments,” Barria said. launched an investigation into “mur- Like when the gate agent announced der linked to a terrorist enterprise” a formal boarding process only to after the rampage in a string of shops remember that Barria was the sole in Romans-sur-Isere, a riverside town passenger who would board, or when with a population of about 35,000. the pilot approached his seat to per- sonally explain a delay in take-off due to a mechanical issue, rather than Australia police to probe cruise speak over the PA system. ship virus deaths The two flight attendants invited CANBERRA: Australian police on Barria to sit in a first-class seat and Sunday launched a criminal investi- went through the safety demonstra- gation after thousands of passengers tion for Barria alone. were allowed to disembark a corona- “I felt I had to pay attention,” he virus-stricken cruise ship in Sydney said. and 10 later died of the illness. The AP/RSS Nearly vacant flights have become government last month allowed 2,700 A man enjoys autumn sunshine in a park in Christchurch, New Zealand, on Sunday. the norm for US airlines, despite a passengers to walk off the Carnival drastic reduction in the number of Australia-owned Ruby Princess and planes they put in the air each day as travel to their homes around the passenger traffic has diminished in country—despite a ban on cruise the midst of the new coronavirus grip- ships docking in Australia being ping countries across the globe. announced just days earlier. (AGENCIES) Trump warns ‘toughest week’ ahead Flight attendants invited Barria to sit India curbs as global virus deaths top 60,000 in a first-class seat testing kits Poor economies, such as Iraq, are struggling, with charities and volunteers rallying to provide food to the needy. for the safety demo.

AGENCE-FRANCE PRESSE grams to ease the pain, but economists ter the country has faced since World Cuomo also cautioned that already American Airlines Group Inc flew exports as WASHINGTON, APRIL 5 have warned that the crisis could War II. strained hospitals were not prepared. 119 flights out of Washington Reagan worsen poverty levels with millions of Spain, which is under a near-total Several Western countries includ- National on Friday; eight of those US President Donald Trump warned jobs lost. lockdown, saw a second successive ing the US, Germany and France departures had only one passenger virus spreads Americans to brace for a “very hor- Poor economies, such as Iraq, are daily fall in coronavirus-related have in recent days encouraged the (including Barria’s) and many had rendous” number of coronavirus struggling, with charities and volun- deaths with 809 fatalities. The total use of masks in public despite earlier just a handful, an American official REUTERS deaths in the coming days, as a Queen teers rallying to provide food to the number of deaths in Spain now stands saying that only carers needed to said. On the same day last year, NEW DELHI/DHAKA, APRIL 5 Elizabeth II delivered a rare speech on needy. at 11,947, second only to Italy. cover their faces. American operated 254 flights out of Sunday aimed at rallying hard-hit “This is more dangerous than Although the number of new cases The advice came after some studies the same airport. India is restricting the export of most Britain. Daesh,” said Iraqi volunteer Mustafa also slowed, Spanish Prime Minister suggested the new coronavirus can be “Pretty soon we’ll even run out of diagnostic testing kits, as coronavirus Global deaths from the Covid-19 Issa, referring to the Islamic State Pedro Sanchez announced an exten- spread through speaking and breath- people to cancel on US airlines,” cases in the South Asian nation topped pandemic have soared past 60,000, jihadist group that swept through a sion of the country’s lockdown until ing, not just coughing and sneezing. American’s senior vice president of 3,350 on Sunday despite a three-week with Europe continuing to bear the third of the country in 2014. April 25. US authorities said wearing a sim- network strategy Vasu Raja told nationwide lockdown to slow the brunt of the virus which has left Worst-hit Italy cheered after seeing New York state, the US epicentre, ple homemade mask or scarf could Reuters on Thursday. spread of the respiratory disease. roughly half the planet confined at its number of intensive care virus saw a record 630 deaths in a single day help stem rocketing infection rates. The US Transportation Security India, which in recent weeks home. cases drop for the first time—from and Governor Andrew Cuomo warned The World Health Organization is Administration (TSA) screened already banned the export of certain There are now more than 1.2 million 4,068 on Friday to 3,994 on Saturday. the worst was yet to come. The state reviewing its guidance but has said it 129,763 travellers on Friday versus 2.48 drugs, along with ventilators, masks confirmed cases across the globe, and Even some of the most cautious has recorded a total of 3,565 deaths. worries that masks could give “a false million on the same day a year ago, and other protective gear needed by around 65,000 people have died since Italian health officials seized on the New York City has appealed for sense of security,” leading people to be according to daily data it is providing both patients and medical staff, issued the virus first emerged in China late figures as evidence that the tide licensed medical personnel to volun- more casual about hand washing and on its website. the latest directive on Saturday. last year, according to a Johns Hopkins may be turning in the deadliest disas- teer their services social distancing. US airlines, who say they are burn- The move comes even as US University tally. ing through cash every day, have President Donald Trump urged Prime Trump said the United States was applied for government aid meant to Minister Narendra Modi in a phone entering “a time that’s going to be help them meet payroll and ensure call on Saturday, to release supplies of very horrendous” with “some really they have trained staff available anti-malaria drug hydroxychloro- bad numbers.” once the health crisis subsides and quine, which is being tested as a “This will probably be the toughest demand recovers. Flight attendants possible treatment for patients with week,” he said at the White House. continue to do their jobs, despite some Covid-19,the disease caused by the “There will be a lot of death.” telling Reuters that they fear contract- coronavirus. US President Donald Trump warned ing the virus and infecting at-risk “The two leaders agreed to remain Americans to expect a “tough week” family at home. in touch on the issue of global supply ahead One of the flight attendants on chains for critical pharmaceuticals At the same time, the president Barria’s flight said she would be flying and medical supplies and to ensure stressed the US—where infections from New Orleans on to her home- they continue to function as smoothly have surpassed 300,000—cannot town Miami, where she was due to as possible during the global health remain shut down forever. take her father for a cancer treatment crisis,” White House spokesman Judd “Mitigation does work but again, after her four-day trip rotation that Deere, said in a tweet on Saturday. we’re not going to destroy our coun- included sleeping in hotels every In a briefing note on the conversa- try,” he said. “I’ve said it from the night. tion, India said the two leaders beginning—the cure cannot be worse “Our elected officials want us to “agreed to deploy the full strength of than the problem.” continue to provide safe air travel the India–US partnership to resolutely Over 45,000 global deaths have been through this crisis…we need to con- and effectively combat Covid-19.” in Europe, with Britain reporting a tinue flying as requested and serving The total number of confirmed new daily high in fatalities, taking those that need to travel,” American Covid-19 cases in South Asia, home to the overall toll to 4,300 out of nearly Chief Executive Officer Doug Parker roughly 1.9 billion people, climbed 42,000 cases. said in a video message last week. close to 7,000 on Sunday, even as “I hope in the years to come every- In an effort to protect passengers the death toll from the respiratory one will be able to take pride in how and crew, airlines have scaled back disease in the Indian subcontinent they responded to this challenge,” the beverage and snack services, rose to 143. queen said during her speech. increased cabin cleaning procedures While the figures are relatively low The pandemic has hammered the and allow flight attendants to wear in comparison with the United States, global economy, with businesses hit gloves, though they are not given China, Italy and Spain, health experts hard as people are forced to stay masks. By the end of Barria’s flight, fear that the spread of the pandemic indoors to help curb the spread of the he felt a camaraderie with the crew. “I in South Asia would overwhelm coronavirus. was thanking them for what they do already weak public health systems in Governments have rolled out mas- AP/RSS and they were thanking me for what I the region. sive, unprecedented stimulus pro- A medic at the Elmhurst Hospital Center reacts after stepping outside of the emergency room, in the Queens borough of New York. do,” he said. Hidden suffering of coronavirus: Stigma, blaming, shaming ASSOCIATED PRESS with it. While there are many stories be hostile toward someone they A medical document with Lamilla’s users dredged up old photographs of entirely. They knew Lamilla would BOGOTA, APRIL 5 about good deeds and people coming believe is responsible for bringing name surfaced. So did photos and vid- the family at a soccer game to imply have been mortified to discover she’d together, the coronavirus is also bring- illness into their community.” eos showing the petite woman with they’d exposed thousands. potentially spread it to relatives. No one should have known Bella ing out another, darker side of some Bella Lamilla followed a daughter to short blonde hair in a hospital bed. A A few family members defended “I couldn’t look at anything,” Lamilla’s name. people: Fear, anger, resentment and Spain three years ago to enjoy retire- map with addresses of the family’s Lamilla, while others, too distressed Lamilla’s daughter said. “I didn’t want But within hours of her diagnosis shaming. ment alongside three grandchildren homes made the rounds. Facebook by the vitriol, avoided social media to hurt my heart.” as Ecuador’s coronavirus “patient In India, doctors have reported in a sleepy Madrid suburb. At least Patients elsewhere whose identities zero,” it was circulating on social being evicted by landlords worried once a year, she flew back to Ecuador, became public have endured similar media along with photos showing the they’ll spread coronavirus to other where a flock of relatives would greet attacks. People shared photos of retired schoolteacher unconscious tenants. In the town of St Michel in her at the airport. Tyasutami, a 31-year-old professional and intubated in a hospital bed. Her Haiti, people stoned an orphanage On February 14 she made the dancer, shimmying in a feathered large, close-knit family watched in after a Belgian volunteer was diag- 12-hour flight to Ecuador and sailed Brazilian samba bikini, and spread horror as a dual tragedy began to nosed. In Indonesia, an early coronavi- through immigration, no questions baseless speculation that she contract- unfold: While Lamilla fought for her rus patient was subjected to cruel asked, even though she’d started feel- ed the virus after being “rented” by a life in intensive care, strangers began innuendo suggesting she contracted it ing feverish. foreign male client. tearing apart her reputation online. through sex work. Over the next week, relatives took “My face is everywhere now, I can’t “Knowing she had it, the old lady Psychologists say it harkens to an her to two different local doctors, who hide it,” she said. Studies show that didn’t care and went all around,” one age-old instinct to protect oneself and dismissed her ailments as side effects when people link disease to behavior, person commented on Facebook. relatives from catching a potentially of a urinary infection or a possible they are more likely to blame the sick “It was ugly,” said Pedro Valenzuela, fatal disease—and a belief, however muscular problem, and finally to a and ostracise them. 22, Lamilla’s great-nephew. unfounded, that those who get it bear private clinic in the city of Guayaquil. Lamilla died on March 13. By that “It hurt a lot.” some responsibility. Struggling to breathe, Lamilla was put time, about a dozen relatives had test- The spreading global pandemic has “Illness is one of the fundamental on a ventilator. ed positive. One of the most seriously tested the competing interests of pub- fears humans have been dealing with After then-Health Minister Catalina ill, Lamilla’s youngest sister, Charito lic health and privacy, with thousands their entire evolution,” said Jeff Andramuño announced Ecuador’s Lamilla, 61, began struggling to of individuals and families experienc- Sherman, a psychology professor at first case in a live news conference, AP/RSS breathe. Relatives tried for two hours ing both physical illness and the the University of California, Davis. the rumours and fury almost immedi- Relatives of Bella Lamilla, the first person to be diagnosed with coronavirus in Ecuador, to get an ambulance—but none less-discussed stigma that can come “It’s not really surprising they would ately began swirling on social media. quarantine themselves at home in Babahoyo, Ecuador. arrived.

C M Y K MONDAY, APRIL 06, 2020 | 08 SPORTS (C.R.P.D.) - 3/052/053

BRIEFING Pay row adds to pressure on Premier League Wimbledon champion Halep Red Star halve player wages Players union reluctant to endorse call for players’ wage reduction by 30 percent. amid Covid-19 outbreak sees bright side BELGRADE: Serbian champions and 1991 European Cup winners Red Star Belgrade have halved their players’ amid coronavirus wages for three months amid the coro- navirus pandemic, the club’s general pandemic director Zvezdan Terzic said on Saturday. “The players have submitted a REUTERS written response to the club that they LONDON, APRIL 5 accept having their wages reduced by 50 percent in the next three months,” Simon Halep is trying to look on the Terzic said in a statement circulated to bright side regarding the suspension Serbian media. Red Star, the winners of of the tennis season due to the corona- a record 30 league titles, top Serbia’s virus pandemic, which means at least first division on 69 points from 26 she will be referred to as reigning games, 11 more than bitter city foes Wimbledon champion for two years. Partizan. The Romanian former world num- ber produced a flawless performance to beat Serena Williams in last year’s Prijovic sentenced at home final but this week’s cancellation of for flouting curfew the grasscourt Grand Slam means she BELGRADE: Serbian football player will not get to defend her title this Aleksandar Prijovic has been sentenced summer. Halep, 28, is currently back to three months of home detention for in her native Romania where she has flouting a curfew imposed to curb the been locked down at home for 22 days, spread of coronavirus. The 29-year-old only popping out briefly to jog around striker who plays for Saudi Arabian the grounds of her residence. club Al-Ittihad pleaded guilty at a video Asked about the Wimbledon cancel- link trial in Belgrade on Saturday. lation, announced on Wednesday, Police had arrested Prijovic and Halep told Eurosport’s Tennis Legends 19 others for gathering at a hotel vodcast: “I take it positively, because I lobby bar in Belgrade on Friday and am now the defending champion for violating the country’s 5 pm to 5 am two years. So, I have to live with that lockdown orders. for one more year so that’s a good thing again. I am excited that I will be able to play the first match on (the) Tajikistan enjoys spotlight as REUTERS Tuesday I think on Centre Court. So, I A file photo shows Manchester United’s Marcus Rashford in action against Norwich City during their Premier League match at the Old Trafford in Manchester. really want to make this experience. football season begins It’s going to be great for sure.” DUSHANBE: A rare spotlight shone on REUTERS Scheme. “Concerned about the turn warned that broadcasters could and a loss in tax contributions of over The WTA Tour and ATP Tour have Tajikistan football on Saturday as the MANCHESTER, APRIL 5 football talks have taken tonight,” demand 762 million pounds ($934 mil- 200 million to the government. The 20 been shut down until the middle of Central Asian country kicked off its Oliver Dowden, Britain’s Secretary of lion) in refunds on games that they Premier League captains held a con- July, at least, but Halep is geared up new season with most football around The players union representing State for Digital, Culture, Media and would not be able to show. Losses in ference call on Thursday to discuss for a longer suspension of the season, the world shut down amid the COVID-19 Premier League footballers has ques- Sport, wrote on twitter. “People do not sponsorship and matchday revenue ways in which they could make a con- possibly the whole year. “I know that pandemic. Champions Istiklol came tioned the league’s call for a 30percent want to see infighting in our national would also impact the game. tribution or donation. the worst scenario in my head is that from a goal down to beat Khujand 2-1 to player wage reduction amid the sport at a time of crisis. Football The talks on Saturday were not The PFA, which is mainly funded this year is going to be cancelled and, win their ninth Tajik Super Cup in a coronavirus crisis, saying it would must play its part to show that the described as a negotiation and no deci- via Premier League broadcast reve- yeah, I’m sure we’re going to over- match played without any fans in reduce tax revenue for the National sport understands the pressures its sion was expected to be taken, but the nue payments, said that the players come this period if we listen and stay attendance. Global football is at a virtu- Health Service. lower paid staff, communities and PFA issued a lengthy statement, not wanted to provide financial help. home safely,” she said. “For the al standstill during the health crisis The stance taken by the union rais- fans face.” attributed to any official, which ques- “All Premier League players want moment, I think it’s going to be longer with competitions only surviving in less es the prospect of a damaging public Player representatives of the 20 tioned the logic of the league’s stance. to, and will, play their part in making than July. We hope for the US Open glamorous leagues, such as Belarus, wrangle over the salaries of some of Premier League clubs and officials “The players are mindful that... the significant financial contributions in (scheduled for August 31 to September Nicaragua and Burundi. The ex-Soviet the best paid footballers in the world from the Professional Footballers combined tax on their salaries is a these unprecedented times,” the state- 13) but it’s not sure because New York Union state has not confirmed a single at a time when Britain is facing a Association (PFA) union met with the significant contribution to funding ment said. is struggling now.” case of the coronavirus. A minute’s major public health crisis. The union’s Premier League on Saturday. The essential public services - which are “All Premier League players fully After so many years jet-setting silence was held at the Stadium in apparent reluctance to endorse player clubs had agreed on Friday to consult especially critical at this time,” the appreciate their role and responsibili- around the globe, Halep said the Dushanbe ahead of the season’s wage reductions emerged after their players regarding a combination statement said. “Taking a 30percent ties in society during this current cri- enforced time off from the Tour had curtain raiser in memory of the Premier League leaders and European of conditional wage reductions and salary deduction will cost the sis. They care deeply for those who are been welcome in some respects, even Covid-19 victims around the globe. champions Liverpool joined other deferrals amounting to 30 percent of Exchequer substantial sums. This suffering with loss, health and hard- if the circumstances were dreadful. Sanjar Rixsiboev gave Khujand an clubs in announcing they had total annual pay. would be detrimental to our NHS and ship at the moment.” “It’s the longest period that I haven’t early lead before Istiklol scored twice furloughed some of their non-playing The league outlined the possible other government-funded services.” The union said that the players touched a racket. Not the ball, the within two minutes in the closing staff. financial damage that could be caused The PFA added that the proposed want to ensure their financial contri- racket—since Dubai,” she said. stages through Manuchekhr This would make them eligible for if the season does not resume, having 30percent salary deduction over a butions support the clubs they play “And I want to keep it that way for Dzhalilov and Muhammadjon public money through the govern- been frozen due to the coronavirus 12-month period would equate to over for, non-playing staff, lower league one more month. I just kept it very Rakhimov. (AGENCIES) ment’s Coronavirus Job Retention outbreak since March 13. The league 500 million pounds in wage reductions clubs and the NHS. safe because I am a little bit scared about it. And I just want to stay chilled. I wake up at around 10 or 11. It’s very good to have a lot of sleep. No alarm clock, no schedule, so I just Langer says empty Bangalore burdened by title pressure, says captain Kohli wake up. I have a late breakfast and then I do some running here in the REUTERS only three existing franchises—along with over the place. I think we need to get that joy complex. Because we are allowed to do NEW DELHI, APRIL 5 Delhi and Punjab—not to have won the title. back,” Kohli said. it, it’s a private residence. In the house stadiums an option “You go after something so badly, and it keeps The India captain acknowledged that I work on my core and my other exer- Royal Challengers Bangalore need to redis- running away from you,” Kohli told former expectations were bound to be high from a cises. So, every day I am working and I cover the joy of cricket if they are to end England batsman and ex-RCB team mate team featuring some of the most destructive feel fit yes.” for cricket resumption their Indian Premier League (IPL) title Kevin Pietersen in an Instagram chat. Twenty20 batsmen in cricket. “When you Halep said that while she missed drought, captain Virat Kohli has said. “It has just that added pressure in recent have some of the biggest names to play for her job, it was right that sport had Star-studded Bangalore have reached three years. We’ve just thought, ‘this is the season, RCB, obviously there’s going to be much faded into the background at a time of finals of the Twenty20 league but are one of this is the season’, and that’s blown us all more attention on the team. global crisis.

REUTERS Justin Langer

REUTERS SYDNEY, APRIL 5

Australia coach Justin Langer says playing cricket without fans in the stadiums is an option worth considering if it helped get the game going again after the worst of the coro- navirus crisis has passed. As with most sports, efforts to contain the Covid-19 pan- demic have forced the shutdown of cricket around the world and Langer thinks teams would be keen to play in empty stadiums upon resumption if the alternative was a longer furlough. “When you started off playing underage cricket, there’s no crowds there,” the Western Australian told BBC radio. “Maybe your mum and dad came and watched, or your brother and sister were bored and playing on the swings somewhere else. You played it because you loved playing the game, you loved playing with your mates and you loved playing the game.” The Australian team had the experience of playing behind closed doors in the opening match of their most recent ODI series against New Zealand at the Sydney Cricket Ground on March 13. The final two matches in Sydney and Hobart were scratched as measures to control the spread of the coronavirus took hold, while a return series in New Zealand was also cancelled. The most obvious benefit of getting games underway again would be in providing broadcasters with content and so easing the financial strain on the game. Cricket Australia have delayed the announcement of their contract list for the next year and Test skipper Tim Paine said last week the players were braced for pay cuts. Langer, though, suggested that resuming cricket would also be a boost to the morale of the millions of fans around the world who were confined to their homes. “The Australian cricket team are so fortunate to play in front of big crowds every time we play,” he added. “But for the love of the game, and for still being able to entertain people through TV sets or radio, then there’s value in that. Yes it’s different, but we’ll never, ever, ever take for granted how lucky we are, ever again. We are so lucky in what we do.” Paine said last week that it would not take “Einstein” to figure out that Australia’s next scheduled action, a test series against Bangladesh in June, would not take place. After that, Australia are scheduled to tour England for a series of limited overs matches. Eoin Morgan, England’s skipper in the shorter formats, has already suggested that those matches could be played without spectators.

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