WITHOUT F EAR OR FAVOUR

Nepal’s largest selling English daily Vol XXVIII No. 34 | 12 pages | Rs.5 O O Printed simultaneously in Kathmandu, Biratnagar, Bharatpur and Nepalgunj 31.0 C 2.0 C Monday, March 23, 2020 | 10-12-2076 Dhangadi Jumla Test, test, test, says WHO but Nepal has neither the means nor the matter The number of individuals tested for Covid-19 is far lower than the number of tests as among the 572 tests done so far, 175 Nepalis evacuated from Hubei were counted twice.

ARJUN POUDEL KATHMANDU, MARCH 22

Sandeep Rai arrived at the Sukraraj Tropical and Infectious Disease Hospital in Teku on Sunday with his colleagues Anuj Adhikari and Habin Bhandari. All three work for Huawei Technologies Nepal, where their supervisor had asked them to take a Covid-19 test as one of their colleagues had been down with fever, sore throat and body aches for the past REUTERS several days. Doctors at the hospital measured “You cannot fight a fire blindfolded. their temperatures, which was nor- And we cannot stop this pandemic if mal, and then sent them home, saying we don’t know who is infected,” said they did not require tests. Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, “We did not go to the hospital to get director-general of the World Health temperatures taken. Our office Organization on March 16. already does that every day,” said “We have a simple message for all POST PHOTO: ELITE JOSHI 32-year-old Rai. “They only asked us to countries: test, test, test. Test every A nurse takes temperature of an elderly person using a thermal gun at Bir Hospital in Kathmandu on Sunday. maintain social distance and contact suspected case,” he emphasised. them if something unusual happened. But the Nepal government has con- We are worried not only about our sistently repeated that there has only health but also the health of our fami- been one confirmed case of Covid-19 ly members.” in Nepal--in January and subsequent- This was a common refrain among ly cured--without conducting tests. Government to close down border the many patients who’d arrived at the People like Rai, who present symp- Sukraraj Hospital seeking a Covid-19 toms or have been in contact with test, at a time when the World Health someone who might have the disease, Organization has consistently urged are being sent home without being with India and China for a week countries to conduct large-scale test- tested. ing across populations. >> Continued on page 4 With calls growing to shut border crossings amid rising number of Covid-19 cases in India, a Cabinet meeting decided to seal all international borders.

TIKA R PRADHAN primary hospital for the treatment KATHMANDU, MARCH 22 of Covid-19. The governments of Nepal and The government has decided to India had decided to operate just close down its borders with both four border points in the wake of India and China for a week, effec- the global Covid-19 pandemic. CULTURE & ARTS | 10 tive from 10am Monday, to deal However, the movements of with the crisis over Covid-19. A Nepalis and Indians were largely Cabinet meeting on Sunday took a unrestricted, not only through the Scintillating shows to stream that decision to this effect. designated border points but also are not mind-numbing “Today’s Cabinet meeting decid- through other land crossings ed to close all borders,” said along the 1,800-km Nepal-India Foreign Minister Pradeep border which is largely unmanned. Gyawali. “We have also decided to As India continues to report a set up a fund of Rs500 million, for steady rise in the number of which all ministers will donate a Covid-19 cases, Nepalis living and month’s salary.” working in various Indian cities The fund will be utilised to pur- have started to return home, stok- chase personal protective gear, ing concerns if they were properly masks, thermometers, ventilators screened before entering Nepal. and monitors, among other equip- Calls had been growing to seal ment required in the fight against the border with India, but given the coronavirus pandemic. the unique Nepal-India relations, The government has also decid- cross-border movement had not ed to develop the Armed Police been restricted. Force Hospital in Balambu as the >> Continued on page 4 As the world goes on lockdown, Nepali students find themselves out of a job With the Covid-19 outbreak shuttering businesses, Nepali students in foreign lands who work part-time to fund their studies are worried about paying their bills.

worked 20 hours a week, but as city after city goes under lockdown, stu- dents like Shrestha are unable to work and make money, leaving them in a precarious situation where they might not be able to pay their college fees or even provide for their basic needs. “It’s already more than 10 days since I was laid off from work. I don’t know how I will be able to pay my tui- tion fee and rent if the shutdown con- tinues for long,” said Shrestha, who pays around 21,000 Australian dollars annually in tuition fees. There are an estimated 52,000 Nepali students studying in Australia, REUTERS according to 2019 data from the A deserted waterfront of Sydney Opera House, as shows were cancelled due to virus fears. Australian Department of Education. Bijay Sapkota, former president of the ELISHA SHRESTHA her financial status, rather than Council of International Students KATHMANDU, MARCH 22 Covid-19. Australia, had told the Post in Shrestha was laid off from her job December that most Nepali students Radhika Shrestha has been living in as a housekeeper after the govern- depend on part-time work to fund self-imposed quarantine in her tiny ment of Australia strongly urged peo- their studies. room in Melbourne, Australia for the ple to remain in self-imposed quaran- According to Rahul Bhandari, who past week. Every day, she attends her tine to mitigate the spread of the is a housekeeping manager at a university’s online classes, an alterna- coronavirus. Sydney hotel, the majority of Nepali tive learning medium assigned in an Like many Nepali students abroad, students in Australia work in hospital- attempt to deal with the Covid-19 out- 25-year-old Shrestha, who is doing her ity, a sector that’s been largely affected break. But as she’s not working at the master’s, is a self-financed student. In by Covid-19. moment, she is also stressed--about order to cover her expenses, she >> Continued on page 4

C M Y K MONDAY, MARCH 23, 2020 | 02 MEDLEY

Inside the Post Quote of the day

As the world goes on lockdown, Nepali students find themselves out of a job, National Page 1 A meeting of Kanchanpur district’s coronavirus infection control sub-committee held on Sunday decided to seal the Gaddachauki-Banbasa border point for an indefinite period from Tuesday keeping in view the possible spread of Covid-19. “It’s already more than 10 days since I was laid off from work. I don’t know Opinion how I will be able to pay my tuition There is absolutely no proof that the customs duty on books has benefitted local printing presses; rather it has negatively affected readers and booksellers in the fee and rent if the shutdown country. That’s a shame. continues for long.” Culture & Arts Radhika Shrestha, a student in Australia, on the financial strain caused by the Covid-19 outbreak on students studying abroad. It’s a hard time for everyone. Coronavirus has affected everything more than public health, curtailing mobility, economy and socialisation. The government has urged everyone to limit their movement outdoors, as social distancing has been deemed one possible way to flatten the curve of the pandemic. Most read online Money Due to the halt in the international export of goods and services produced by Concerns over virus prompt doctors to apply for leave small and medium entrepreneurs, and declining domestic consumption with people focusing on buying daily essentials, business has fallen more than On Saturday, over 20 staffers, including nurses and doctors, serving at Sumeru expected. Hospital, Lalitpur, applied for leave. This startled the hospital management. “The number of staffers applying for leave has been rising by the day,” Hemraj Dahal, the hospital’s chairman, told the Post. “It’s not difficult to guess the rea- Sports son. Health workers fear that the coronavirus could spread.” As thousands of footballers, from the highest levels to the lower leagues, remain on lockdown while coronavirus spreads across Europe, all of them are tasked Amid Covid-19 fears, it is the people in lower economic strata with keeping themselves fit, as well as entertained. who are most vulnerable At Tripureshwor, on the big screen on the front of the United World Trade Centre building, slides of how to protect oneself from the novel coronavirus pop up every minute. Around town, people have their faces covered with blue, black, News Quiz yellow and white masks. On the radio, television and phones, public service announcements are being made, reminding people to regularly wash their hands with soap, use sanitisers, avoid crowds and maintain distance. 1. Coins believed to be minted 200 3. When is the World Water Day POST PHOTO: BEEJU MAHARJAN years ago were discovered observed? A woman carries an empty cooking gas cylinder at an exchange depot in Kathmandu. recently in which city? a. January 22 Sujeev Shakya: We are not a learning culture a. Janakpur b. February 22 Sujeev Shakya wears many hats. He describes himself alternatively as a b. Butwal c. April 22 “thought leader” and “thoughtpreneur” on his website, although I have little c. Dharan d. March 22 On this day in history idea what either of those terms mean. But professionally, he’s a management d. Nepalgunj consultant and advisor. But he’s also founder of the Nepal Economic Forum, an 4. How many people died because economic policy think tank; a senior advisor at the Bower Group, an interna- of coronavirus in Italy on Social democracy based on social justice tional consulting firm focusing on Asia; a prolific writer of newspaper columns Saturday? and two books. a. 793 KATHMANDU - The Political Science Association of Nepal (POLS AN) organised a b. 654 day-long symposium on “Social Democracy After the Cold War” in collaboration c. 544 with the Friedrich Ebert Stiftung (FES), Germany here Tuesday. Fighting the virus of fake news in the time of coronavirus d. 499 At the symposium, Chief Guest and Minister for Local Development and On Saturday, an audio clip suddenly went viral. In the widely shared clip, a per- Supplies Chandra Prakash Mainali said that the dominant theme of social son is heard saying six people tested positive for Covid-19 at a private hospital in 5. Which border in Banke district democracy is social justice and the building of a just society where human beings Kathmandu. At a time when the general public is concerned about the possible has been closed for a week as enjoy equality, liberty and solidarity. spread of the coronavirus, the audio clip could have easily prompted panic. Covid 19 precautions? He said that the Constitution of the Kingdom of Nepal 1990, the political par- a. Kakadbhitta ties and the society in general believe that social justice should be the guiding POST PHOTO b. Jamunaha principles of our way of life. c. Jogbani The conditions of inequality at the social and economic lives of the people have 2. Which of the following coun- d. Tulsipur made the relevancy of social justice still more important now than even before Corrections tries on Sunday observed a after the restoration of multiparty democracy in Nepal, he added. 14-hour curfew to prevent the 6. Which region in Italy has been Our reporters and editors do their best to make sure our reporting is free from spread of Covid-19? worst hit by the Covid-19 The Kathmandu Post errors. But when we make mistakes that warrant correction, we will be transparent a. Pakistan outbreak? March 23, 1995 and clarify at the bottom of the specific article. b. India a. Bergamo If you believe we have got something wrong and it requires correction, please c. Bhutan b. Lodi email us at [email protected] with “correction” in the subject line. d. Myanmar c. Cuneo Answers to News Quiz: 1(c), 2(b), 3(d), 4(a), 5(b), 6(a) For the most recent corrections, visit kathmandupost.com/corrections. d. Treviso HOROSCOPE ARIES (March 21-April 19) CANCER (June 22-July 22) LIBRA (September 23-October 22) CAPRICORN (December 22-January 19) *** *** **** *** Your ambitions haven’t all come to fruition, but Remember, you don’t need to spend a lot of If you want to make a connection with someone Watch out for impulse buying now. You might that doesn’t mean that you’ve failed in any way. money to have a lot of fun. If you’ve been turn- in a professional or romantic capacity, you will think you can’t live one more minute without a There is a time and place for everything, so ing down social invitations for the sake of a need to deepen the dialogue you’re having with certain item, but you’re wrong, and if you think don’t get distracted if that big brass ring has bigger bank account, you may be penalising them. Small talk makes for shallow connec- about it for a few minutes, you’ll realise that for escaped your grasp yet again. This isn’t the end yourself for no good reason. Let your people tions, and what you want right now is depth. yourself. Spending a big chunk of money right of your options, so don’t beat yourself up. Focus know that you’re pinching pennies, and they’ll Switch topics toward philosophies and fears now could be a big mistake, so try to avoid the your energy on reaching some new goal. be happy to adjust their proposed plans. and you’ll make some significant headway. urge to buy.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20) LEO (July 23-August 22) SCORPIO (October 23-November 21) AQUARIUS (January 20-February 18) *** *** **** *** You need to be mindful of your role in every The person you could be spending a lot of time Today, your focus could be on your own prob- It’s all in your head today. Feeling unattractive? conversation you have today. People are going to with today might not be patient enough to listen lems and whatever is going on at home with an Simply remind yourself that you are indeed be saying very important things and you need to to every word you say, so try not to make this the older relative. If they need any attention from attractive, and people will start seeing it. It’s catch every detail. Taking notes wouldn’t be a day you confess anything major or bring up a you, you should do whatever it takes to give it important to realise that your powers of positive bad idea. This is a good time for you to gather delicate topic. But just because they aren’t fully to them. They miss the sound of your voice and thinking are just as strong as your powers of information on a project or opportunity you’re engaged doesn’t mean that you won’t have a could benefit from a conversation—they won’t negative thinking, so try to switch your thinking considering. great time together. ask for much more than that. around.

GEMINI (May 21-June 21) VIRGO (August 23-September 22) SAGITTARIUS (November 22-December 21) PISCES (February 19-March 20) **** ** *** *** A foreign accent could be like music to your ears Life isn’t always black or white, although some You could encounter someone today whose Try to be more open to change in your life today. today, evoking exotic locales and reminding you people you could deal with today think that way. mind is so closed that you wonder if any sun- If you get too stuck on following your schedule that you need to plan a vacation! Whenever you You can ask another person to be open-minded, shine ever gets in there. Their narrow-minded to the letter, you’ll miss out on some fun. Good get a taste of wanderlust, you should act on it! but you can’t force them to be. But don’t try to attitudes will hinder your progress. There’s for you for wanting to cross things off your list, Poke around some travel websites, flip through change them. They’ve chosen to have this atti- something about the ignorance that gets under but is there any harm in putting a few things off some travel magazines, and pull out your list of tude about things, and you’ll only come off as your skin, and it’s going to be hard for you not for the sake of some good opportunity? Let your- all the places you want to go someday. preachy if you try to change their mind. to try to get them to open their mind a little bit. self have a good time if you can—you deserve it!

CROSSWORD SUDOKU

YESTERDAY’S SOLUTION

C M Y K 03 | MONDAY, MARCH 23, 2020 NATIONAL Gaddachauki-Banbasa crossing to close from Tuesday; Jamunaha border shut for a week from Sunday

BHAWANI BHATTA amidst fear of novel coronavi- Police; and Dipen Kumar KANCHANPUR, MARCH 22 rus in India. As many as 4,200 Mishra, SP of Bahraich district people have entered Nepal in India, among other officials The authorities have decided to through the Gaddachauki- from both countries. close the Gaddachauki-Banbasa Banbasa border point since “We have decided to restrict border point in Kanchanpur Saturday evening. The District the movement of people across district from Tuesday. It Administration Office in the border from both the coun- was one of the four main Kanchanpur also decided to tries. However, there will be no border crossings that the gov- close all factories, industries restrictions on the movement ernments of Nepal and India and the market place, except the of cargo vehicles and people had agreed to keep open for shops selling essential commod- seeking medical care,” said human movement. ities, from Sunday mid-night. Khadka. A meeting of the district The local administration has “Nepali nationals will not be coronavirus infection control urged people not to come out of allowed to cross the border into sub-committee held on Sunday the house except in times of India unless they need medical decided to seal the Gaddachauki- emergency. care,” said Madhav Rijal, the Banbasa border point for an “We will take strong action if head of Jamunaha Police Post. indefinite period from Tuesday anyone is found defying the India is observing a 14-hour keeping in view the possible instruction,” said Khatiwada. curfew from 7 am on Sunday to spread of Covid-19. Meanwhile, Jamunaha bor- prevent the spread of Covid-19. “There is a high risk of coro- der crossing in Banke district In Kailali, the local adminis- navirus outbreak in the area, as has also been closed for a week tration sealed all border points, a huge number of people pass starting Sunday. except for Trinagar customs through the border point every “A meeting of Nepali and point in Dhangadhi and day. We decided to seal the bor- Indian officials has decided to Khakraula in Tikapur, from der point fearing the possible close the crossing for a week,” Sunday morning. Armed Police spread of the disease,” said said Kumar Bahadur Khadka, Force personnel have been Nurahari Khatiwada, chief dis- chief district officer of Banke. mobilised to monitor the border trict officer of Kanchanpur. The meeting was attended by crossings. Rupa Gahatraj from POST PHOTO: ELITE JOSHI Hundreds of migrant work- Khadka; SP Bir Bahadur Oli, Banke and Arjun Sah from People buy goods at a supermarket amid concerns about a coronavirus outbreak, in Kathmandu on Sunday. ers started returning home who is also the head of Banke Kailali contributed reporting. Nepalis forced to work even under lockdown in Malaysia

CHANDAN KUMAR MANDAL Malaysia,” said S, who wanted neither the streets as well. Security forces lives of 250 workers. We have to take Another worker, Subash, also com- KATHMANDU, MARCH 22 his first name or surname mentioned, catch us when they spot us on the public transport to go to work, which plained that his company asked work- fearing reprisal from his employer. A large number of road,” said S. “But our company wants is not safe.” ers to continue working or their basic As the number of confirmed cases of “How can we go out and work when we Nepalis, reeling us to report to the work as if nothing After restrictions on movement monthly salary would be deducted. Covid-19 spiked in Malaysia, S had are put at risk of getting infected?” has happened,” said S. enforced to slow down the spread of “I work for a hotel. Our work been wanting to stay safe indoors. Malaysia, the most affected from the outbreak, Other Nepali workers in the same coronavirus proved ineffective, Kuala stopped on March 18. The manager With the lockdown announced from Southeast Asian country by the global company are also reluctant to resume Lumpur has decided to deploy the says the lockdown has been enforced Wednesday, the Nepali migrant work- pandemic, has reported over 1,300 are being asked to work on Monday. army to ensure that members of the by the Malaysian government so all of er, along with his compatriots, was cases of Covid-19. On Saturday alone, “The employer has been asking us public stay home from Sunday. us have to go on unpaid leave. Will I relieved that he could finally remain the country, where 500,000 Nepalis work against will. to operate machines,” said B, another Meanwhile, Nepali migrant work- get paid for working under this shut- indoors safe from infection. live, reported three Covid-19 deaths, Nepali worker, requesting anonymity ers have been taking to social media to down?” asked TR Rana Magar, from “As we couldn’t go out, all of us bringing the toll to six. fearing consequences. “I don’t want complain against their employers. On the city of Port Dickson. were in self-quarantine since last Following the rapid spread of coro- barred from travelling abroad and to go to work in this situation. the weekly Facebook Live chat organ- What is common among the griev- Wednesday,” S told the Post from navirus, the Malaysian government those returning from overseas must Everyone is scared to go out, let alone ised by the Nepal Embassy in ing Nepali migrants is that all of them Penang, Malaysia. “We thought we has enforced a two-week lockdown undergo a health inspection and work in a group.” Malaysia, many Nepalis shared have been asked to work against their would be safe now.” until March 31. The government has self-quarantine for 14 days. All schools According to him, other labourers their agony of having to work will and government restrictions. But it was not to be. His company— banned mass gatherings, and allowed and government and private offices have already started working in fear under threat. They say they have no option but to PPH Printing & Packaging Sdn Bhd— only essential services such as super- have been asked to shut. of action the company might take “Our company has been making us comply with the orders. has asked all workers to report to markets, banks, gas stations and phar- Around 45 Nepalis work for PPH against them for insubordination. work and has asked us to report to “If forced, we may not have the their workplace from Monday even as macies to stay open. Workers are Printing, which makes paper cartons “If our company were making med- work without wearing uniform. They option other than to work,” said S. the lockdown continues. being forced to put in reduced hours. and packaging boxes. All of them have icine, we could understand its need,” have threatened to deduct our pay if “But there is no guarantee we would “We are concerned about our safety. As per the ‘restriction movement been notified to report to work. said B. “But we make cartons. I don’t we don’t comply. What can we do?” be paid. The company has only talked Almost everything is closed across order’, all Malaysians have been “Public movement is restricted on understand why they want to risk the wrote Netra Thapa. about work, but not payment.”

C M Y K MONDAY, MARCH 23, 2020 | 04 NATIONAL Role of non-governmental sector can be crucial in tackling Covid-19, public health experts say The government has yet to respond to non-government organisations’ offer of help as the virus threat grows. PRITHVI MAN SHRESTHA Although the only case of Covid-19 KATHMANDU, MARCH 22 reported in Nepal has already recovered, there are widespread Earlier this month, various non-gov- concerns about the possible outbreak, ernmental organisations said they as the virus continues to invade were ready to offer help to the govern- countries across the world, taking ment to combat potential health crises a toll on humans as well as the in Nepal in the event of a COVID-19 economy. outbreak. Two weeks later, representa- The government has announced tives of the non-governmental organi- a slew of measures from halting sations (NGOs) said they were yet to flights to suspending spring expedi- hear from the government. tions and shutting cinema halls and “It’s our genuine call. We want to banning public gatherings to control make contributions to tackling the the spread. disease, but the government has not Starting Sunday, the government responded yet,” said Jitbir Lama, also suspended all non-essential president of the NGO Federation, a services as outbreak fears continue. grouping of local NGOs. Public health experts say the According to the Social Welfare government also needs to chalk out Council, the government agency that a plan as to how it can pull together all POST PHOTO: ANISH REGMI regulates the non-government sector, the resources--not just from within the Passengers are crammed in a bus preparing to leave Kathmandu on Sunday. The government has requested the public to avoid crowds and limit non-essential travel the Association of International Non- state machinery but also from outside- to prevent the possible spread of novel coronavirus, but the idea behind observing social distancing seems to have lost on many people. government Organizations had -in the event of a crisis. offered help in the areas of home “Given the large number of NGOs quarantine and testing kits, quaran- operating in the country, their mobili- tine centres and health facilities. sation can be hugely helpful to control “Some foreign NGOs working in the the spread of the disease,” said health sector have said they can uti- Dr Sharad Onta, a public health lise 5-10 percent of their budget in specialist. Government requests India and China combating the novel coronavirus,” “NGOs have access to the grassroots said Achyut Luitel, chairperson of the where they have been carrying out Association of the International various activities and they can inte- NGOs. “But the government hasn’t grate measures to tackle the virus.” responded to the offer.” According to Onta, what NGOs can for protective gear and medical equipment According to data from the Social do in a more effective way is running Welfare Council, as of fiscal year awareness campaigns. 2017/18, there were 106,092 registered “Messages conveyed through the Minister Bhatta says Nepal will follow Chinese model to deal with Covid-19 cases. non-governmental organisations in media are usually one-way the country. Over 50,000 domestic communication,” Onta told the Post. ANIL GIRI The ministry has also requeste1d Level 3 PPEs; 7,000 PCR test kits; for the Chinese model to deal with the NGOs and 250 foreign organisations “But NGOs can use their resources to KATHMANDU, MARCH 22 for 7,000 polymerase chain reaction 100,000 extraction kits; 100,000 viral possible outbreak. are affiliated with the council. connect with communities and (PCR) test kits; 500,000 extraction test transport medium kits, 150,000 N95 “We are planning to use the hospi- Public health experts say that messages through them make two-way The Ministry of Health and Population kits; 100,000 viral transport medium masks; 10,000 infrared thermometers; tals of security forces to treat Covid-19 NGOs, the private sector and coopera- communication, thereby avoiding any through the Ministry of Foreign kits; 150,000 N95 masks; 10,000 infra- 20 portable PCR test kits; 100 portable patients. The Armed Police Hospital, tives can play important supportive confusion.” Affairs has sought a large number of red thermometers; 20 portable PCR ventilators; 10 mobile ambulances Nepal Army and others will be used. roles in the time of crisis. Apart from information dissemina- protective gear and medical equip- test kits; 60,000 portable PCR reagents, equipped with labs; and 5 mobile In provinces, too, apart from the gov- “It is time to mobilise both the gov- tion and awareness, NGOs can also ment with India and China to combat 20 arterial-blood gas (ABG) machines; ambulances with medical facilities. ernment hospitals, we will use the ernment and non-governmental sec- fund some basic things--soap, sanitis- Covid-19. 5 oxygen plants; 2,000 intubation sets; Nepal has also asked China to pro- hospitals and other facilities being tors,” said Dr Baburam Marasini, for- ers and water--which are most According to a letter seen by the 20 autoclave machines; 20 Continuous vide 60,000 portable PCR reagents; 20 used by the security forces,” he said mer director at the Epidemiology and required at this time, according to Post from the Ministry of Health and Renal Replacement Therapies (CRRT); ABG machine; 5 oxygen plants; 2,000 while referring to the Chinese model. Disease Control Division. “NGOs can Onta. Population to the Indian government, 10,000 thermometers; and 200,000 sur- intubation sets; 20 autoclave machines, Bhatta added that the government contribute by spreading awareness Government officials said they have Nepal has requested for 50,000 Level 1 gical gloves. 20 CRRTs; 10,000 thermometers; and was also planning to request Chinese and making arrangements for health plans to mobilise NGOs and communi- personal protective equipment (PPE) Nepal has a huge shortfall of medi- 200,000 surgical gloves. doctors to train health professionals workers at isolation centres.” ty organisations. that offer the highest measure of res- cal equipment to deal with the Covid- Minister for Industry, Commerce and security personnel in case of an Similarly, transport entrepreneurs, “We have prepared a plan, which is piratory, skin and eye protection; 19 outbreak, so to prepare ourselves, and Supplies Lekhraj Bhatta has said outbreak. according to Marasini, can raise yet to be made public,” said Bikas 100,000 Level 2 PPE with the highest we have sent a request to both India that Nepal will be following the “Since it is not possible to take our awareness among workers and pas- Devkota, spokesperson for the level of respiratory protection but and China, a senior official at the Chinese model to combat the possible health professionals to China, we are sengers. “If the government takes pri- Ministry of Health and Population. lesser skin and eye protection; and health ministry official told the Post. outbreak of Covid-19. planning for a video conference train- vate medical colleges into confidence, “We have told NGOs to prepare them- 10,000 pieces of Level 3 PPE which The government has requested the He told a parliamentary panel on ing. We are also in the final stage to they can be utilised to add more isola- selves for mobilisation.” provide lesser degree respiratory, skin Chinese government for 50,000 Level 1 Sunday that the government was pre- bring medicine and other medical tion centres when the state-run health Devkota, however, stopped short of and eye protection. PPEs; 100,000 Level 2 PPEs; 10,000 paring to change its tack and opting equipment from China,” Bhatta said. facilities fall short of such centres.” giving details. Government to close ... As the world goes on lockdown, Nepali students ... >> Continued from page 1 >> Continued from page 1 Australia, with 7 reported deaths. there aren’t many avenues of aid for her MBBS programme at the Qiqihar With all flights to Nepal suspended, “There are around 300 Nepali peo- In Europe too, Nepali students are people with student visas. Medical University in China’s north- health experts had said that the only ple working in the hotel where I work facing similar problems. Like “Although the government expects eastern Heilongjiang Province, is fac- way the coronavirus could now enter and the majority of them are stu- Radhika, 24-year-old Sajana Pokharel international students to have around ing academic problems. She, along Nepal, if it has not already, was via the dents,” said Bhandari. “Due to the is doing her masters at the Norwegian 15 lakhs [Rs 1.5 million] per year in with other international students, has open border with India. Covid-19, within two weeks, the occu- University of Science and Technology their bank to cover their expenses, a been confined to her dormitory for 56 Border points with China, however, pancy rate of the hotel dropped to 25 and she too is worried about her finan- majority of students rely on part-time days now, leaving her unable to contin- had remained closed since the out- percent from 90 percent. As a result, cial situation. It has been almost two jobs, which they are allowed to work ue her internship, a requirement for break in China. more than 50 percent of employees are weeks since she was temporarily laid 20 hours per week, to fund their stay her medical degree. There are 11 other The Nepal government’s decision to out of work.” As the majority of off from her job as a waitress. in Norway,” said Maharjan. Nepalis studying at the same universi- shut the border with India comes Nepali students cannot afford to study “For now, I am covering my expens- According to NRN Norway ty. Pradhan said that although she hours after New Delhi decided to sus- without working, they are likely to try es through my savings, but if this President Nayan Malla, the associa- could have returned to Nepal in the pend all passenger trains, bus servic- to work, even when there is a health condition continues, I will be in big tion in Norway has formed a commit- initial stages of the outbreak, she es, metro and inter-state bus services REUTERS risk, said Bhandari. There is already trouble,” said Pokharel. tee to provide financial assistance for chose to remain in China as the Nepal until March 31, putting all 75 districts The government has set up a fund to buy news that a Nepali student in Although the tuition fee per semes- Nepali students in need. Medical Council doesn’t allow Nepalis where coronavirus cases have been protective gear and medical equipment. Tasmania failed to comply with medi- ter in Norway is just around Rs 12,000, “Since NRN Norway doesn’t have studying in China to do their in reported under lockdown. cal advice to self-isolate after he expe- students need a minimum of Rs enough of a budget to provide finan- Nepal. According to the Economic Times, Union Home Ministry official as say- rienced cold-like symptoms. Instead, 150,000 to cover other expenses, includ- cial assistance to all the students here, “If I had returned to Nepal, it would the districts where the lockdown was ing. he carried on work. In an attempt to ing travel costs, food and rent. we are planning to help those who are have been difficult for me to come announced are from states including According to the Indian Health address the plight of Nepalis, the Non- According to Dwarika Maharjan, a in critical financial situations, either back to China again. I have to com- Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Punjab, Ministry, there have so far been 360 Resident Nepali Association of member of the Non-Resident Nepali by providing them with food or a place plete my internship in order to take Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Kerala. Covid-19 infections, including both Australia (NRNA Australia) has decid- Association in Norway (NRN Norway), to live,” said Malla. the NMC entrance exam on time,” said “State governments will issue foreigners and Indians, in the country. ed to provide free meals for a month to there are around 500 to 600 Nepalis As of Sunday, 1,926 people had been Pradhan. “For now, we’re just staying orders allowing only essential servic- Uttar Pradesh has reported 27 cases all Nepali students affected by Covid- studying in Norway. While the infected with Covid-19 in Norway. inside and studying.” es to operate in these 75 districts with while Bihar has had two cases. Both 19 and its consequences. Norwegian government has provi- While Shrestha and Pokharel are So far, there have been 303,659 con- confirmed Covid-19 cases or casual- states share their borders with Nepal. There are already more than 1,000 sions for financial aid, even for tempo- facing financial difficulties, Binita firmed cases of Covid-19 across the ties,” the Economic Times quoted a Seven people have died. confirmed cases of Covid-19 in rary residents, during times of crisis, Pradhan, who is in the final year of world with 13,424 deaths. Test, test, test, says WHO but Nepal has neither the means nor the matter >> Continued from page 1 with some symptoms, is to risk the was conducting over 10,000 tests a day. collect more samples. We are also pur- “We have Gene Xpert machines in and resources. India deployed The National Public Health lives of the public at large. “The number of cases has been ris- chasing more kits.” most districts, and we can also use the 1,000 surveillance staff to trace the Laboratory, which operates under the “How can we say that we do not ing in the United States as they are Officials at the WHO’s Nepal office laboratories in medical colleges,” said people who met Bollywood singer Department of Health Services, has have any cases by testing samples of now carrying out more tests,” said refused to confirm how many kits Lal. “Several aid agencies, including Kanika Kapoor, who tested positive been providing numbers every day just over 200 people?” said Dr Baburam Lal. “How can we know that we do not they had provided to the government the World Bank, have offered financial for Covid-19 after her return from the showing how many tests have been Marasini, former director of the have a case here without carrying out so far. and logistical assistance, but we hav- United Kingdom. conducted. By Saturday, it had con- Epidemiology and Disease Control tests?” “We have provided testing kits en’t been taking up their offers.” According to Dr Basudev Pandey, ducted 572 tests in total, of which only Division. “The virus might have But laboratory officials themselves twice to the government,” said Dr But an official at the Health director of the Epidemiology and the case in January had tested posi- spread like wildfire but we wouldn’t are in a bind. Without adequate test- Rajan Rayamajhi, surveillance medi- Ministry said that the government Disease Control Division, they have tive. know because enough tests haven’t ing kits, they have been forced to rely cal officer at the WHO. “But I cannot still operates on the protocol prepared now decided to carry out more tests, But according to Rajesh Kumar been conducted.” on screening measures and only test say how many we provided.” when Nepal had a very limited num- including on those who’ve returned Gupta, spokesperson for the National Public sentiment echoes Marasini’s those who present more than a couple Dr Runa Jha, director of the ber of testing kits. from India with a fever. But public Public Health Laboratory, the 572 tests outrage. Numerous people on social of symptoms. National Public Health Laboratory, “The protocol was prepared to dis- health officials fear that it might be do not imply that 572 separate individ- media have called out the government On March 12, Dr Shrawan Kumar had said last week that her laboratory courage massive testing,” said the offi- too little, too late. uals were tested. for sticking to the narrative of “just Mishra, joint chief medical technolo- had around 3,000 kits to carry out cial who spoke on condition of ano- Dr Arjun Karki, a senior internal Nasal and throat swabs from 175 one case” without testing widely. Last gist at the National Public Health coronavirus tests and was in the pro- nymity as he feared retribution for medicine consultant, said that the Nepalis evacuated from Hubei week, a video of Dr Sundar Mani Dixit Laboratory, had told the Post that they cess of acquiring an additional 8,000. speaking out. government needs to quickly and Province, the epicentre of the Covid- lambasting the lack of testing went had requested 5,000 kits from the According to Lal, tests for Covid-19 With kits incoming from the World seriously expand testing if it is to pre- 19, were tested twice--first when they viral on social media, displaying just World Health Organization but it can now be carried out by using a Health Organisation and other donors, vent the spread of Covid-19 in the arrived and again before they were how suspicious the public is of the remains unclear whether they have Gene Xpert machine, which is gener- like Alibaba billionaire Jack Ma, it is country. released from quarantine. government’s claims. arrived. ally employed to test for tuberculosis. time for the government to begin test- “It will be disastrous if an outbreak Going by the laboratory’s own num- Dr Bibek Kumar Lal, who is also a Officials at the Health Ministry Diagnostics company Cepheid ing in large numbers, say health happens in a country like ours,” said bers, only 222 individuals at the most, former director of the Epidemiology were reluctant to reveal the exact received emergency authorisation on experts. Karki. “Our healthcare system cannot besides the 175 Nepalis from Hubei, and Disease Control Division, said number of testing kits they possessed, Saturday from the United States’ Food But again, even if the authorities handle the number of cases that are had been tested by Saturday. For the that countries like South Korea, only saying that they had “enough”. and Drug Administration to conduct wish to conduct tests, the govern- bound to be seen. We need to take this Kathmandu Valley, one of the most Japan, Taiwan, Hong Kong and “I cannot tell you the number,” said rapid molecular tests using the Gene ment’s ability to administer the tests issue very seriously.” densely populated metropolitan areas Singapore have successfully contained Dr Bikash Devkota, spokesperson for Xpert machine for point-of-care themselves is limited. For instance, if As of March 22, more than 308, 540 in Asia, these are minimal numbers. Covid-19 by testing as much as possi- the Health Ministry. “We know we results. The new method can detect anyone tests positive, then it is neces- Covid-19 infections have been report- According to public health experts, ble. At the height of the outbreak in need to test more so we have decided the presence of the coronavirus in 45 sary to carry out contact testing, ed in 188 countries and territories, to not conduct tests, even on those South Korea, the government there to operate separate fever clinics to minutes. which requires much human resource with more than 13,059 deaths.

C M Y K 05 | MONDAY, MARCH 23, 2020 MONEY

FOREX

US Dollar 120.60

Euro 128.99

Pound Sterling 140.63

Japanese Yen 10.88

Chinese Yuan 17.00

Qatari Riyal 33.12

Australian Dollar 69.94

Malaysian Ringit 27.22

Saudi Arab Riyal 32.09

Exchange rates fixed by Nepal Rastra Bank

Shares Nepse 1,251.45pts -1.45%

HIGHEST LOSERS GMFIL NIBPO NCCB FMDBL NLICL PCBL -9.37% -6.89% -6.31% -5.25% -4.77% -4.54%

MODERATE LOSERS KBL RMDC PLIC NABIL LBL HBL -4.32% -4.06% -4.03% -3.97% -3.84% -3.84%

MODERATE GAINERS NTC MFIL PICL KPCL MEGA NHPC 2.13% 2.88% 3.58% 3.84% 3.88% 3.92%

HIGHEST GAINERS SMB SHL CLBSL CFCL API JSLBB 3.97% 5.06% 5.89% 7.01% 7.40% 9.69%

BULLION PRICE PER TOLA

Fine Gold Rs 76,500

Silver Rs 720

SOURCE: FENEGOSIDA

GASOLINE WATCH

POST PHOTO: SANJOG MANANDHAR A man sits outside closed shops at Bishal Bazar in the Capital on Sunday. On Friday evening, Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli announced measures to contain the coronavirus by halting all flights from March 22 to 31, closing down all non-essential services from March 22 to April 3, and banning all long-haul travel from March 23. Farmers leave fields fallow after Shame on you, Britain not getting subsidised fertiliser tells coronavirus The Agriculture Knowledge Centre could not purchase farm inputs for lack of working panic-buyers procedure, officials said.

The centre issued a list of eight companies from where farmers could buy the subsidised fertiliser, but they Argentina will need didn’t have any in stock. Among the listed sellers was Tara Prasad, propri- etor of Captain Krishi Firm of ‘substantial debt Birgunj. The farmers had been purchasing Rukh brand organic fertiliser from relief’: IMF chief the company in the past, but this time it did not have this brand of AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE fertiliser as the centre had not pro- WASHINGTON, MARCH 22 cured any, leaving the farmers in a lot of trouble. Argentina’s government will need “Despite Nepal being named an “substantial debt relief” from private agricultural country and Parsa being creditors as the coronavirus pandemic the home district of Chief Minister and its economic impact exacerbates Lal Babu Raut, farmers are being the country’s financial situation, IMF deprived of the facility of obtaining chief Kristalina Georgieva said subsidised fertiliser,” he said, adding Friday. that no action was being taken against REUTERS The nation already had been deal- the officials concerned. National Health Service workers shop at a supermarket in Newcastle, Britain. ing with an economic crisis and Ram Chandra Yadav, head of the Georgieva said, “Tackling these issues POST FILE PHOTO Agriculture Knowledge Centre, said REUTERS to “be responsible when you shop and has become even more pressing in According to the data released by Nepal Rastra Bank, the country imported chemical that the centre could not purchase LONDON, MARCH 22 think of others”. light of the coronavirus pandemic and fertilisers worth Rs 14.3 billion during the first seven months of the current fiscal year. organic fertiliser for lack of work pro- “There is more than enough food to its significant health and economic cedure even after appointing the com- Britain on Saturday told people who go round and our food supply chain is impact.” SHANKAR ACHARYA Uday Bahadur Silwal, a farmer who panies to sell it. were panic-buying and hoarding food able to expand production to cope with International Monetary Fund staff PARSA, MARCH 22 cultivates papaya and other fruits “The previous work procedure is due to the coronavirus outbreak to increased demand,” he said. “analysis shows that considering this commercially at Chorni, also com- being amended as it was not useful,” calm down, pointing to a video on “Buying more than you need means debt-carrying capacity, and the exist- Kedar Prasad Sah, a farmer of Sirsiya plained that he could not get organic he said. “It is difficult to perform our social media showing an exhausted that others may be left without, and it ing debt burden, a substantial debt Khalwa Tol, Birgunj Metropolitan fertiliser from the centre. job because we have to complete the nurse driven to tears by finding is making life more difficult for those relief from Argentina’s private credi- City-26, was forced to leave his 1.5 He waited a long time to get fertil- process. There is fear that the shelves bare after her shift. front-line workers such as our doctors tors will be needed to restore debt bigha farm fallow this year after not iser from the centre to apply on his Commission for the Investigation of Shoppers have been emptying the and nurses and NHS (National Health sustainability with high probability.” getting fertiliser. field. After giving up hope of obtain- Abuse of Authority will take shelves in many supermarkets over Service) support staff.” Argentina last week finalised a pro- He had wanted to plant wheat on his ing the farm inputs from the centre, action and we will lose our jobs if the the past week, with some wrestling Despite such appeals, not least from posal to restructure some $69 billion field after getting organic fertiliser Silwal bought them on his own before proper procedure is not followed,” over toilet roll and others hoarding Prime Minister Boris Johnson and of the country’s massive public debt, from the Agriculture Knowledge it became too late to use them. Yadav said. everything from pasta to frozen peas major supermarkets, shelves of meat, hoping to delay the maturity of some Centre, Parsa, but he could not pro- The government introduced the pol- According to the data released by as the government told people to stay pasta, tinned goods and toilet roll institutional loans and reduce the cure any soil fortifier and had to give icy of providing a 75 percent subsidy Nepal Rastra Bank, the country home and avoid contact. were empty on Saturday in some amount owed to private creditors. up his plans. on organic fertiliser through the cen- imported chemical fertiliser valued at A billion pounds ($1.2 billion) of London supermarkets. Some had Since taking office in December, “I waited for a long time after get- tre to encourage farmers to use organ- Rs14.3 billion during the first seven extra food have been squirreled away brought in extra guards and set up President Alberto Fernandez’s ting assurances from the centre of ic fertiliser as an alternative to chemi- months of the current fiscal year. over the past three weeks, putting special queuing zones. administration has insisted it will not obtaining organic fertiliser with a 75 cal inputs. But most of the farmers The figure represents a 35 percent massive pressure on supermarkets, The government has set aside be able to pay off its creditors percent subsidy,” he said. But he got complained that they could not get jump from the corresponding period environment and food minister rules restricting deliveries to super- if its recession-hit economy fails to no fertiliser and was unable to grow any of the environment-friendly fertil- of the previous fiscal year when George Eustice said. markets to help stores cope with resume growth. wheat in his field. iser from the centre. imports amounted to Rs10.6 billion. At a news briefing, he urged people increased demand. Small and medium enterprises feel the pinch as the economy flounders

KRISHANA PRASAIN started declining from mid-January, and medium enterprises have already medium enterprises belong to the country,” he said. The bankers associ- KATHMANDU, MARCH 22 he said. “Demand has dropped in the pulled down their shutters, and more handicraft sector which has been hit ation is also conducting discussions last three months,” he said. There are around are expected to follow suit in the com- hard in the past three months, and regarding this subject, he added. Kedar Rajbahak shut down his swirl Sunil Shrestha, who has been run- ing days. Business has plunged in the this will have a big impact. Gunakar Bhatta, spokesperson for candy factory from Sunday after the ning a lokta paper business for 27 452,000 registered same proportion, he added. It will be a relief if the government Nepal Rastra Bank, said that government ordered that all non-es- years, said he was running out of cash small and medium Singh said that these enterprises creates a basic enabling environment they were studying the impact of sential services be closed in order to with sales down to almost zero. could pay the salaries of their workers for micro, small and medium entre- Covid-19 on small and medium enter- maintain social distancing, and pre- His company, Shubham Handicraft, enterprises in for up to two months, but if business preneurs. “Many enterprises will prises. “The government will provide vent any possible spread of Covid-19. exports 80 percent of its products to continues to remain down for a longer close down due to the financial crisis,” relief through a one-window system His company, Bishnu Maya Europe and the rest to the United Nepal. period, they will not be able to make he said. As most of Nepal’s handicraft as we are positive about providing Confectionery, produces handmade States. payment. Most export businesses are products are shipped to the United support to small and medium enter- chocolate. Closing down means loss of But his latest shipments are held on the verge of closure. States and Europe, it will take a long prises,” he said. revenue, and he does not know how he up at customs as Nepal cancelled tough time and are inundated with Sanam Chitrakar, a partner at time for business to get back to nor- According to the federation, there is going to pay back his loans, the rent all international flights from problems. Due to the halt in the inter- Biruwa Advisors, said that the export mal, said Singh. are around 452,000 registered small for the premises, and the salaries of Monday. national export of goods and services business had fallen by 90 percent. Mohan Raj Joshi, head of SME at and medium enterprises in the coun- his 30 workers. Shrestha operates out of his home produced by small and medium If the government loosens VAT Nabil Bank, said that the bank try. Among them, 235,000 have renewed Rajbahak plans to be back in busi- in Kuleshwor. He says he has not been entrepreneurs, and declining domes- returns and bank loans, it would was observing a slight slowdown their permits and around 500,000 are ness after 15 days, but he has no idea if able to pay the small farmers who sup- tic consumption with people be a big help to small and medium in people coming with loan operating without registration. things will get better by then or he will ply the raw materials needed to make focusing on buying daily essentials, enterprises. proposals for small and medium The sector provides 3.6 million have to remain closed for an extended paper, nor his nine workers who make business has fallen more than expect- “We are not asking the government enterprises. jobs with each firm employing one to period. He has paid the wages of his the products. ed, said Umesh Prasad Singh, acting to provide financial aid, we are asking “We used to think that the Covid-19 nine workers. Small and medium employees till Friday. Inventory worth Rajbahak and Shrestha are not president of the Federation of Nepal that it be flexible in policies during a outbreak would affect only tourism enterprises account for 6 percent of around Rs1.5 million is piled up in his alone; many micro and small and Cottage and Small Industries. situation like this,” he said. and aviation, but its impact is being the country’s gross domestic product, warehouse as sales of his products medium enterprises are having a Around 60-70 percent of the small Most of the micro and small and seen on the overall economy of the Singh said.

C M Y K MONDAY, MARCH 23, 2020 | 06 OPINION EDITORIAL The mystery behind books and taxes Responsibility All stakeholders, including medical workers, the government and the general public, must do their part.

The global Covid-19 pandemic has begun to severely affect life in Nepal. For weeks, if not months, officials, healthcare workers and the general public have been largely complacent in their prepara- tions against the disease. As the outbreak moved westwards from East Asia, seemingly skipping South Asia for the better part, Nepalis had taken a lax attitude towards this deadly and highly infectious virus. However, now that India faces a sudden surge of reported cases, and seven confirmed deaths as of March 22 (and climbing), South Asian countries have been awakened to how much of a strain this virus puts on the healthcare system. It is unsure whether the cases in the neighbourhood have sudden- ly ballooned with rapid infections, or whether there has been a lack of enough testing and tracking. However, what is sure is that all stakeholders have the responsibility to carry out their respective roles. Should one gear in the system fail, the entire machinery can come crumbling down. In times of disease outbreaks, the main responsibility falls on medical workers. Such is the nature of their profession. If the cur- rent crisis were an earthquake, like in 2015, the first responders and the ones with the most gruelling of jobs would likely be fire-fighters and security personnel. In times of a health crisis, it is only natural that the people rely on those that have made it their mission to study and protect the human body. All around the world, medical workers, including doctors, pathologists, virologists and nurses, among oth- ers, have been hailed as true heroes who have risked their lives to care for the ones affected, not to mention handling the regular stream of patients suffering from other ailments, too. It is unfortunate, then, that in Nepal there have been reports of medical workers, in both private and public hospitals, who have applied for leave during such crucial times. The panic-driven cower- SHUTERSTOCK ing seems to have come after the federal government directed large hospitals to not refer cases out, and to utilise the large bed is significantly cheaper in India than Rs100 retail. Assuming that the and booksellers all over the country. capacity they have to treat patients in-house. The medical workers There is absolutely no proof in Nepal. Therefore, the intended wholesaler adds a 10 percent profit, attempting to shirk duties at such a crucial time are unworthy of objective of imposing the customs the cost to the retailer is Rs90. In such Bad economics their profession. Such lack of professional responsibility puts a that the customs duty on duty is to encourage writers and pub- a case, the retailer can still have a One of the most important and diffi- larger burden on the health workers who still understand the impor- lishers to print books domestically profit margin of 10 percent. cult tasks that economists and policy- tance of their work. imported books has benefitted rather than print them abroad. Case 2: After the imposition of the makers are faced with is choosing the But this also shows a lack of preparedness on the part of hospitals local printing presses. However, there is absolutely no proof 10 percent customs duty, there was a right policy tools to fulfil a specific and the government. A lot of workers who are abandoning ship that the customs duty on books has significant increase in the import objective. The imposition of a cus- claim that they lack the resources and training to tackle the Covid-19 benefitted local printing presses; cost. Let us break down the cost of the toms duty— a policy tool which has pandemic. The hospitals, especially the private ones, charge large rather it has negatively affected read- book which previously had a maxi- been chosen to meet the very noble RUZEL SHRESTHA sums of money from patients to provide them with care. There ers and booksellers in the country. mum retail price of Rs100. Before, the objective of increasing production of should have been more investment in training and equipment; per- That’s a shame. exporter would sell the book to the domestic printers—clearly isn’t the haps then the workers would not have been caught so flat-footed. importer at Rs75. But now there is a right choice. This policy choice nega- Imported books market The government too is at fault here. Although the medical profes- 10 percent customs duty which comes tively affects consumers and booksell- There is a severe shortage of import- to Rs7.50. The cost of shipping has ers, and there is no evidence that sion is one that is inherently risky, no one should be forced to go ed books in Nepal. The 10 percent increased to 6.5 percent of the Nepal’s printing presses are benefit- without the most basic of protections that their occupation entails. customs duty has sorely affected the retail price which comes to Rs6.50. ing either. It has been more than a month since the World Health Organisation profit margin of wholesalers When we add the customs duty and A better policy solution to meet the confirmed that this disease was spreading from person to person, The decision by Finance Minister and retailers. If the government the transportation charge to the intended objective would be to lower and that it was highly infectious. Given China’s proximity to Nepal Yuba Raj Khatiwada to impose a 10 continues to impose this customs cost of the book, the cost to the the costs associated with printing and the rapid spread of the disease in South Korea, Japan, Iran, Italy percent customs duty on imported duty, Nepali book importers will be importer is Rs89. books domestically. These costs and other countries, the government should have learnt vital lessons books has been widely criticised by forced to stop buying foreign books While previously book importers include the cost of printing paper, and stocked up on protective gear for those on the frontlines. It is not readers and booksellers all over altogether. had a profit margin of around 20 per- ink, plates for printing, printing too late still for the government to fulfil its responsibilities, which Nepal. Strangely enough, at a recent When importing books, most book- cent of the retail price, now they have machines and so forth. India produc- include the correct and timely dissemination of information, and press meet, he was quoted as saying, sellers add a mark-up of around 25 a margin of only around 11 percent. es most of these domestically, where- clarifying what added benefits workers at risk of contracting the ‘Trading books is not trading your percent. This could be higher or lower This is not a margin which both as Nepal has to import them current- disease are due. knowledge. If you earn profit by sell- depending on the book. For instance, wholesalers and retailers can operate ly at various customs duties. Either Lastly, it is also the responsibility of members of the public to ing books, you should also pay tax to a wholesaler who imports a book with on. Therefore, it is not worth import- Nepal should produce the items isolate themselves as much as possible. As cases in Italy have shown, the government’. It is quite unclear a maximum retail price of Rs100 gets ing books anymore; and resultantly required for printing domestically a sudden surge in cases to treat puts an unworkable burden on the what he meant by this since the criti- it for around Rs75 from the exporter there is a shortage of imported books (which is quite difficult in the short healthcare system. More people are likely to succumb to the disease cism against his decision is not about who would mostly be from India. Let in the market these days. run) or they have to be imported at a in such a scenario. However, if people practise social distancing, book businesses paying taxes on prof- us consider two cases, before and Booksellers cannot pass on the very low cost without any import wash their hands regularly and self-quarantine when they are sick, its (which they have been doing for after the customs duty, to examine its increased cost to their customers. duty. It is only then that Nepali print- the virus will have fewer fresh hosts to jump to. This does not mean decades), but rather his decision to effect on the book market. There is a law in Nepal entitled Black ers can compete with Indian printers. that the virus will definitely be defeated solely adopting these meas- impose a customs duty on imported Case 1. Before the imposition of the Market and Other Social Offence and Quite naturally then, a better policy ures, but fewer cases of the disease at any given time would mean books, an imposition which started customs duty, Nepali wholesalers Penalty Act 1975 which makes it a solution to protect Nepali printers is more resources available for each serious case, leading to fewer only last year. could import books with a retail price punishable offence to sell products at to remove the customs duty on goods mortalities. It is necessary for those who can work from home to do It has been understood that the of Rs100 at around Rs75. In addition a price exceeding the maximum retail associated with printing; not impose so, so that those who are compelled by their work to venture outside rationale for imposing the 10 percent to the cost of the book, there is a 5 price. So if the government doesn’t a customs duty on books. can practice social distancing in a safer manner. customs duty on books is to ‘protect’ percent shipping charge. The whole- act soon, there will be a severe short- printing presses in Nepal. It is a saler, therefore, imports the book at a age of imported books. This would Shrestha is a research associate at the well-accepted fact that printing books cost of Rs80 which can be sold for unfortunately, affect both consumers Nepal Development Research Institute. We want to hear from you We regularly publish Letters to the Editor on contemporary What would Keynes say now? issues or direct responses to something the Post has recently pub- lished. Please send your letters to [email protected] with ‘Letter to the Editor’ in the subject line. Governments may have to sion even without the coronavirus. Please include your address, phone number we can reach you at But the UK and other Western and your email address. economies undoubtedly have the less choose between higher fiscal capacity today than they did ten How to make sure your letters are published? It’s simple—just years ago. follow these basic guidelines: prices and increased taxes Third, having spent the last 40 Keep it short. Your letters will have a better chance of success if years ‘fighting inflation’, and contin- you keep it within 400 words. If you’re writing commentary, pitch to pay for the pandemic. ually warning of its re-emergence if an op-ed instead. the fiscal policy was unchained, gov- ernments are now turning a blind eye Tell us what we got wrong, but back it up with resources. to this risk. But although ‘cost-push’ Avoid jargon, use clear words and sentences. Keep in mind you’re ROBERT SKIDELSKY inflation is indeed unlikely to be a communicating with other readers who may not be aware of the problem in an era of decentralised subject. labour markets, expanding demand at full employment will still result in We welcome witty letters. But please don’t go overboard. faster price growth. So, at some point, Avoid abuse and diatribes. governments will have to raise taxes The United Kingdom’s new if inflation is to be avoided. By loos- Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rishi ening and tightening fiscal policy at Sunak, has done what Prime Minister the wrong times, they would repeat Boris Johnson wanted him to do fol- the ‘go-stop’ approach that discredit- lowing the forced resignation of ed Keynesian demand management Sunak’s predecessor, Sajid Javid, in in the 1970s. Have something to say? February. In his March 11 budget, That brings me back to the virus. Sunak turned on the spending taps Johnson has said that the UK needs to The Kathmandu Post invites you to submit well-researched, by unveiling a stimulus package go onto a war footing, and other lead- unapologetic opinion pieces. To make sure your articles get our worth £200 billion ($235 billion) over ers such as French President attention, we ask that you keep the following things in mind when five years. Emmanuel Macron have said the inquiring and submitting content to the Post: ‘It was a budget of which […] JM same about their countries. But a war Keynes could have approved’, wrote economy is a shortage economy in All your opinion pieces should be pitched to the Opinion desk— political commentator Matthew PIXABAY which you can’t have both guns and not to the editor-in-chief. Email your piece or idea (accompanied Parris in The Times. And there was thing that no one so far has, namely, not have been started in 2010, when butter. Butter has to be rationed to with a high-resolution headshot) to [email protected]. even more praise for Sunak’s March ‘How do we pay for it?’—a matter to there would have been fewer potholes produce more guns. The problem 17 announcement of an extra £350 which I shall return shortly. and many more people available to fill then becomes one of excess demand, We will only respond to pitches that have original ideas. We billion to support UK businesses Before I do, consider Sunak’s them (because UK unemployment not deficient demand. suggest that you google your pitch before writing to us. If you’re through the coronavirus pandemic. budget-day announcement of an then stood at 8 percent, as opposed to Keynes recognised this in his 1940 submitting an article that either the Post or other publications UK fiscal policy, it seems, has at last extra £175 billion in public invest- just under 4 percent today)? The pamphlet ‘How to Pay for the War’. been restored to its proper place after ment for over five years. ‘Investment orthodox answer is that the govern- UK civilian consumption needed to be have already covered in the past, tell us in a sentence or two why years of austerity. in roads, rail, housing, broadband ment ‘couldn’t afford it’ in 2010, but cut, either by higher prices or higher your story offers something new. But I am sceptical about these lat- and capital projects as a proportion that its prudent deficit-reduction pol- taxes. Keynes advocated a steeply pro- The Post receives dozens of pitches every day from aspiring est ‘return of Keynes’ stories. This is of the economy will rise to levels not icy since then has now given it the gressive income tax (with a top mar- partly because there has been no seen since the 1970s’, enthused the ‘fiscal space’ to launch the initiative. ginal rate of 97.5 percent) on the writers, students, political commentators, entrepreneurs and dip- principled repudiation of austerity, Financial Times, which had been a This is nonsense. What a government grounds that it was ‘fairer’ than infla- lomats. We are not able to respond to every single email, but if we and partly because most of the new staunch champion of the last ten can afford is limited only by the tion. And, in an imaginative twist, he like your idea, we will get back to you soon. Please DO NOT pitch converts simply equate Keynes with years of spending cuts. Certainly, this amount of real resources it can com- proposed that the taxes collected us an idea if you’re already pitching it somewhere else. budget deficits. In fact, Keynesian seems to mark a return to the fiscal- mand, and not by self-imposed finan- automatically from the poorest work- arithmetic can also point to surpluses. ism of the Keynesian era, and Sunak cial constraints. ers would be repaid by the govern- We carefully review submissions to ensure that no plagiarism For starters, there is nothing hinted as much: fiscal policy, he said, The pothole story has an important ment after the war. has occurred. If we find any articles that have been plagiarised, Keynesian about Sunak’s £350 billion should play a ‘more active role’ in moral, though. Not only should the It is to be hoped that the Covid-19 such practice will lead to blacklisting. package to protect the economy stabilising the economy. But what nei- fiscal stimulus have come a lot earli- pandemic will not force today’s gov- against Covid-19: Any government ther the chancellor nor the FT er; it now risks coming at the wrong ernments to make such a choice. But Finally, please tell us who you are in a sentence or two when you will spend freely to protect its people explained is why this fiscal Exocet point in the economic cycle. Keynes it’s not too early for policymakers to send us your story ideas. We want to know where you have against such disasters. Even the aus- missile is being fired only now. wrote that, ‘the boom, not the slump, start thinking about how to pay published before or what your expertise is on the topic you’re tere former Conservative Chancellor For example, Sunak announced a is the right time for austerity at the for this particular war; it’s good interested in exploring. George Osborne would have recog- £2.5 billion fund to fill 50 million pot- Treasury’. True, it doesn’t feel much to be reminded of tough Keynesian nised that these are not normal times. holes on UK roads over the next five like boom-time right now; forecasters arithmetic. But Keynes would have asked some- years. But why could this program were pointing to a possible UK reces- —Project Syndicate

C M Y K 07 | MONDAY, MARCH 23, 2020 OPINION Covid-19, economic crisis and the Nepali economy The government’s policies and priorities for economic development require a revision.

JAGADISH PRASAD BIST

The Covid-19 outbreak has now become a global apprehension, taking more than 5,000 lives worldwide. The World Health Organisation declared it a pandemic. The disease has not remained only a health issue, but also become an economic catastro- phe. Amidst plunging world economic indi- cators, economists are worrying whether Covid-19 will wreak havoc on the global economy. The major stock markets are plunging, industries are shutting down, and oil prices are tumbling like never before. According to The Economist, oil prices slumped on March 10 to their lowest level since the financial crisis of 2007-09. The magazine called the day a new Black Monday in financial markets. Falling demand for crude oil due to slug- gish economic activities in the major importing countries (China, United States, Japan and South Korea) is putting pressure on the prices. But the response from OPEC, the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting SHUTTERSTOCK Countries, has confounded economists. According to The New York Times, entry of citizens from infected countries market, household economic activities and remittance, supply of goods and services, Economists are urging OPEC to cut supplies because of this epidemic, organisers of and the cancellation of Visit Nepal 2020 have international trade. raw materials, petroleum products, medical to correct the plummeting oil prices, but its major sports championships, conferences put the hospitality industry in peril. equipment and vital medicines. The govern- members are wrangling over Russia’s deci- and small gatherings around the world are Statistics show that the occupancy rate in Foreign exchange reserves ment’s policies and priorities for economic sion not to slash output. In fact, Saudi now either postponing their events or the hotel industry is decreasing sharply. According to Nepal Rastra Bank, the cur- development require a revision to fight pos- Arabia made a U-turn on its decision cancelling them. The United States has Chances are high that the disease will affect rent level of foreign exchange reserves is sible disruptions. The economic targets for to cut supply amid the stalemate between already suspended travel from Europe and more people economically—either causing sufficient to cover merchandise imports for the current year seem no longer achievable OPEC and Russia. This situation is making declared a state of emergency in 19 states. them to lose their jobs or making them go 9.6 months. However, if the foreign employ- amid the Covid-19 pandemic. The govern- economists worry about a possible crude oil These statistics show that the world econo- bankrupt—than through infection. ers scale back projects, it will further weak- ment expects the economy to grow at a rate price war. my is running out of steam. If the pandemic According to government agencies, no en remittance, the reserve fund and ulti- of more than 8 percent this fiscal year. But is not controlled worldwide shortly, the one in Nepal has been found to be infected mately trade. The pandemic will also create that is farfetched. Suffering tourism industry Nepali economy is also going to suffer a cri- by the virus. shortages of consumable goods and raw The current priority should be to amass The effect of the crash in oil prices has sis, even though it remained immune to The coronavirus outbreak is posing an materials if the outbreak continues to as much required resources as possible and already been reflected in major stock mar- past economic catastrophes such as the increasing threat to remittance inflow spread in India. The southern neighbour take corrective actions before the virus kets all over the world. The S&P 500 plunged great recession of 2007-09 and others. The too. The rampant spread of the virus in has already closed down some of the border enters the country and the economy. For by nearly 8 percent on Monday. Though effect of Covid-19 is already evident on the Europe, the Middle East and the Gulf coun- crossings. In case India decides to seal the this, the government has to work closely China is gradually winning the fight against tourism industry. tries is likely to hit workers’ remittance: borders, Nepal has no option but to endure a with the private sector, foreign agencies, the outbreak, factories are still closed and The Nepali economy is likely to see a spill- More than 50 percent of the remittance huge economic recession because it depends major trade partners, health workers and workers have not fully returned to work. over effect mainly on three fronts—remit- comes from the Gulf countries. Given on the neighbour for almost everything— other stakeholders to ensure that the This situation has stymied manufactures all tance inflow, tourism industry and interna- that Nepal’s foreign currency reserves are from agricultural seeds to industrial raw country has enough resources to expel the over the world that depend on Chinese tional trade. Given the nature of the econo- highly dependent on remittance, in a worst- materials, from daily consumable goods to plague out of the economy, in case it makes exports. The world tourism industry has my—which is based on the service sector case scenario, a reduction in remittance medicines and so on. its way to Nepal. suffered a lot due to restrictions on tourist and agriculture—the country’s tourism inflows on the economy could be disastrous. Given that, the government must be pre- movement from Covid-19 affected countries industry is going to suffer immensely. The It is not only going to hit foreign employ- pared from every aspect—a possible entry of Bist is part of the faculty at The British to different destinations. reduced flow of tourists, restrictions on the ment, but also liquidity in the financial the disease itself and likely reduction in College. Grappling with a triple whammy global crisis

to intensify. Mr Trump, by his repeated When lockdowns and social references to the ‘Chinese virus’, is setting up a bogeyman, to whip and stir up his distancing measures are electoral base, by pinning the fallout from the disease on China. But the notion that rescinded, fresh waves of China should be blamed, and be expected to apologise for the so-called Wuhan virus, is infection could strike. ludicrous. Equally, so too is the suggestion that it should be thanked for the way in which it worked aggressively to bring it WARREN FERNANDEZ under control. That would be like suggesting that the US should be asked to apologise for setting off the 2008 financial crisis—which it did not wish on itself or anyone else—or thanked In the span of a few long weeks, the world as for the decisive way it dealt with it. Both are we knew it and most of the bold projections equally pointless propositions, though each about what lies ahead have been upended. has its share of boosters. Given the tri- When business and political leaders met ple-fold crisis at hand, and the urgent at the annual meeting of the World Economic need for global cooperation to tackle this, a Forum in Davos in January, there was much ‘with-me-or-against-me’ world, split uncom- talk about addressing climate change, man- fortably between the US and China, is in no aging the trade and technology tensions one’s interests. between the United States and China, and Even so, supply chains, which had already pondering the threat posed to workers and begun to be reshaped because of the trade societies by rapid advances in artificial spat last year, will come under further scru- intelligence (AI) and robotics. tiny, amid a growing concern over the com- US President Donald Trump was busy mercial and strategic risks of being overly trumpeting his plans to keep America great dependent on any one source. The changes in his second term, after its ‘amazing come- that follow will bring both challenges as well back’ under his leadership. China hands as opportunities. A prolonged economic were projecting its inexorable rise to global slump could also force a restructuring of dominance, along with straight-line extrapo- companies and industries in ways we might lations into the future. Techno-optimists not yet have imagined. were excited by the prospects of solving After months of being cooped up at home, many of the world’s problems using AI and will people want to rush out to eat and be big data. merry, head back to the shops, cinemas and These forecasts and predictions have gyms, or seek to roam the world, as before? come crashing down abruptly, disrupted by Or would they have grown enamoured of the a new virus, not of the digital kind, but the joys of online deliveries, streaming, and old-fashioned organic variety. The world is other new ways to stay happy and healthy? now in the grips of a ‘once-in-a-century Having been kept away from their offices, pandemic’, as some experts have described will workers long to return to the social it, with outbreaks of Covid-19 just about chatter of water-coolers and pantries? Will everywhere. they prefer those interminable meetings As the number of people infected mounts, and long business lunches to working at governments are finally being forced to take home, with family and kids close at hand? the pandemic seriously. That’s the good Conversely, would bosses conclude that news—or rather, as good as the news gets. tele-working can be just as productive, Here’s the bad news: If you thought the PIXABAY requiring less expensive office space, busi- last few weeks were grim, then brace your- tracing, quarantines and ‘safe distancing’ to bills and loans, the impact will be felt not with weaker healthcare systems, which are ness travel, and—shudder the thought—a self for worse, much worse, to come. But try to slow down the spread of the virus. just on the stock markets but also the finan- less able or willing to test and detect, let lower headcount? why so gloomy, you ask? Well, to put it sim- The aim is to prevent a sudden spike in cial sector. Fear feeds fear, and downward alone deal with them, as the World Health Who knows? At the moment, it is hard ply, the world is now facing a triple whammy infections which would overwhelm hospi- spirals can quickly follow. Organisation has warned, pointing to Africa enough to predict what will happen next of a crisis—on the health, economic and tals if more people turn up in need of treat- A recent front-page report in The New and some parts of our neighbourhood. week or month, let alone next year and financial fronts. ment than the healthcare system can cope York Times summed up this situation stark- The Israeli historian Yuval Noah Harari beyond. What is clear is this: It is best not to No one can be sure how things will play with, thereby putting lives at risk. ly: ‘Entire sectors of the American economy summed this up in a thought-provoking assume a return to the status quo ante out, or whether the judgments being made In addition, the stronger the measures to are shutting down, threatening to crush essay, published in the FT. He asserted, by no before the dawn of this blighted Year of the will pay off as expected. Yet, leaders, offi- press down the curve—think lockdowns, businesses and put millions of people means histrionically: ‘Humankind is now Rat in late January, which also marked the cials and doctors will have to make life-and- travel restrictions, closed schools, churches out of work and forcing lawmakers to con- facing a global crisis. Perhaps the biggest arrival of the first cases of the new corona- death decisions, acting even in the face and mosques, shutdowns of bars and restau- sider a vast financial bailout that would crisis of our generation. The decisions that virus in Singapore. Straight-line projections of uncertainty, but, hopefully, based on sci- rants—the greater the impact on the econo- dwarf the federal government’s response to people and governments take in the next few from the past into the future have already ence and available evidence, rather than my, as social interaction and the business the 2008 crisis’. weeks will probably shape the world for proven hopelessly wrong. Assuming that politics, gut instincts or—worse—prejudices this generates dries up. A further complication is that measures years to come. They will shape not things will resume from where they were, and biases. This will put jobs, companies, perhaps to flatten the curve can’t go on indefinitely. just our healthcare systems but also our after a long, painful period of disruption, as For now, the consensus seems to be that even whole industries, at risk. So, apart When lockdowns and social distancing economy, politics and culture. We must act we are now all living through, is likely to be the best—or least bad—option, given that from people falling ill, we must expect to see measures are rescinded, and people start quickly and decisively. We should also take as misguided and fanciful. the virus is spreading, farther and faster by companies collapsing as well, and the num- emerging from their homes and returning to into account the long-term consequences of the day, is the much bandied about ‘flatten- bers growing, not only of infections, but also work, fresh waves of infection could strike. our actions’. This article was previously published in The ing of the curve’ approach. In short, this of layoffs and unemployment. As companies Outbreaks might also flare up in places Some troubling signs are already emerg- Straits Times, a part of the Asia News entails taking measures, such as contact take a hit, and struggle to pay their workers, where they had previously not been seen, ing. The current US-China tensions look set Network.

C M Y K MONDAY, MARCH 23, 2020 | 08 WORLD World ramps up restrictions as virus cases top 300,000 Italy has now reported over 4,800 deaths—more than mainland China and third-placed Iran combined.

AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE sun. In his weekly prayer—now being ROME, MARCH 22 streamed live to avoid crowds gather- ing—the Pope urged all Italians to fol- From Italy to India to the United low isolation measures. States, governments rolled out tough- “Let us do the things that the gov- er measures to halt the rapid spread ernment asks us to do for the good of of the coronavirus pandemic as global us all,” Pope Francis said. cases surged past 300,000 on Sunday Similar shut-in measures have been and Asia braced for a possible second rolled out in badly-hit Spain and wave of infections. France, where helicopters and Nearly one billion people are drones were being deployed to ensure already confined to their homes crowds do not gather in parks or along around the world as countries race to river banks. contain the ballooning outbreak by Spain saw a sharp spike in deaths imposing unprecedented lockdown again Sunday—a 30 percent rise bring- measures, shutting shops and busi- ing total fatalities to 1,720—while nesses and sealing borders. France saw its death toll mount to 562 The pandemic has sparked fears on Saturday. of a global recession, prompting Britain is also ramping up its governments to unleash gigantic response in the wake of steadily ris- emergency measures to avoid an eco- ing cases and deaths after the govern- nomic meltdown. ment was criticised for failing to take More than 12,000 people have died stricter measures sooner. from the virus worldwide, with the Prime Minister Boris Johnson on situation increasingly grim in Italy, Sunday urged 1.5 million people most the new epicentre of the disease which at risk from the virus to stay home, as first emerged in central China late last he warned the numbers of infections REUTERS year before marching across the globe. and deaths “are very stark, and they Coffins are seen inside a church in Serina near Bergamo, one of Italy’s cities worst-hit by Covid-19, on Sunday. Countries in Asia now worry infec- are accelerating”. tions could once again mount on their Pubs, restaurants, theatres and lei- shores as travellers return from bad- sure centres had already been closed ly-hit parts of Europe, a continent across the country, and the govern- under siege by the pandemic, with ment said it could give police, public French President Macron ‘threatened’ UK entry ban more than 150,000 declared cases. health and immigration officers extra Italy has now reported more deaths powers to contain the outbreak. than mainland China and third-placed More than a third of Americans REUTERS ing sources in Macron’s office, said Street spokeswoman said: “As the Union member states to close the Iran combined, and it has a death rate were meanwhile adjusting to life in PARIS, MARCH 22 Johnson’s decision came after the Prime Minister said on Friday, these bloc’s external borders earlier this of 8.6 percent among confirmed Covid- various phases of lockdown, includ- French leader gave him an ultimatum new measures were taken based on week. 19 infections—significantly higher ing in New York, Chicago and Los French President Emmanuel Macron on Friday morning, threatening an scientific advice and in keeping with The report echoed comments than in most other countries. Angeles. Other parts of the United threatened to close France’s border entry ban on any traveller from the the government’s action plan set out Macron’s prime minister, Edouard The death toll in the Mediterranean States are expected to ramp up restric- with Britain on Friday if Prime UK if there were no new measures. two weeks ago.” Philippe, made in an interview on nation of 60 million spiked to more tions as well. Minister Boris Johnson failed to take “We had to clearly threaten him to The British government has said it Tuesday. than 4,800—over a third of the global “This is a time of shared national more stringent measures to contain make him finally budge,” the report is acting on the guidance of its scien- “If neighbouring countries, Britain total. Lockdown measures have done sacrifice, but also a time to treasure the coronavirus outbreak, a French quoted an Elysee official as saying. tific advisers as it steps up efforts to for instance, stayed for too long little to stem new infections and our loved ones,” US President Donald newspaper reported. Contacted by Reuters, Macron’s limit the outbreak. in a situation without taking deaths and the government announced Trump said. “We’re going to have a On Friday evening, Johnson office declined to comment. But a Macron ordered stringent restric- these measures, then we would find it the closure of all non-essential facto- great victory.” ordered pubs, restaurants, theatres, source close to Macron confirmed tions on people’s movement in France hard to accept on our soil British ries in a late-night TV address. New Jersey on Saturday followed cinemas and gyms to shut their there was a phone call between the on Monday. Restaurants, bars and nationals who would have been mov- Police patrolled the deserted streets several states in telling residents to doors to slow the accelerating spread two leaders on Friday. “The way it’s schools have been shut nationwide ing freely in their own country,” of Rome Sunday, while checks were stay indoors. In neighbouring New of the disease, days after other presented is a bit harsh, but we were and people ordered to stay at home Philippe said. also carried out on beaches after local York, Governor Andrew Cuomo European countries put their citizens indeed preparing to close (the bor- other than to buy groceries, travel to Britain left the EU on Feb. 1 but officials complained people were defy- warned that the disruption is likely to on lockdown. der),” the source told Reuters. work, exercise or for medical care. remains in a free-movement area with ing orders to catch some time in the last for months, not weeks. French newspaper Liberation, cit- Asked about the report, a Downing Macron also pushed for European the bloc until the end of the year. Sporadic violence Strong quake shakes Croatia, as Guineans vote in constitution damaging buildings in capital

ASSOCIATED PRESS of entrances. Footage from the scene The earthquake struck amid a referendum ZAGREB (CROATIA), MARCH 22 showed mothers dressed in night- partial lockdown of the capital gowns hugging their newborn babies because of the spread of the coronavi- AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE A strong earthquake shook Croatia in a parking lot as they evacuated a rus. People were told to avoid public CONAKRY, MARCH 22 and its capital on Sunday, causing damaged maternity hospital amid areas, such as parks and public panic, the evacuation of hospitals and freezing temperatures. The women, squares, but had little choice as they Voters in the West African state of widespread damage—including to the newborn babies and incubators were fled their residences. Guinea began casting their ballots on city’s iconic cathedral—all amid a par- being moved to a new location with Up to five people are allowed to be Sunday in a bitterly-disputed referen- tial coronavirus lockdown. the help of the army. together while keeping distance. dum that critics say is a ploy by A 15-year-old was reported in criti- Zagreb’s iconic cathedral was also The prime minister urged the citi- President Alpha Conde to stay in cal condition and several others were damaged, with the top of one of its zens to remain calm and stay outside power, and that was almost immedi- injured, news outlets reported. two spires collapsing. The cathedral their homes in the central parts of ately marred by sporadic violence. The European seismological agency, was rebuilt after it toppled in the 1880 Zagreb, which sustained the most Conde is proposing a change to the EMSC, said the earthquake measured earthquake. damage. constitution to codify gender equality 5.3 and struck a wide area north of the Power was cut as people ran out of “We have two parallel crisis that and introduce other social reforms. capital, Zagreb, at 6:23 a.m. (0523 GMT) their homes. Several fires were also contradict each other,” Plenkovic said But his opponents fear the real Sunday. The epicenter was 7 kilome- reported. At least two other tremors after an emergency meeting of motive is to reset presidential term ters (4 miles) north of Zagreb at a were recorded later. Residents shared Croatia’s top officials. limits, allowing Conde, 82, to run for a depth of 10 kilometers (6 miles). photos of belongings falling off Croatian soldiers wearing masks third spell in office later this year—a Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic shelves, broken bottles and glass and carrying shovels could be seen scenario that his government has not said earthquake was the biggest in inside homes. helping efforts to clear the damage on discounted. Zagreb in the last 140 years. Officials first said a 15-year-old was the streets of Zagreb. Top officials Shortly after voting began at 0800 Many buildings in the capital killed, but doctors later said that she toured the damaged areas as some cit- GMT, young people attacked police cracked and walls and rooftops were is in critical condition and that they izens criticized city authorities over deployed outside a polling station in a REUTERS damaged. Downtown streets were lit- are fighting for her life. They gave no the poor states of buildings in the old school in Ratoma, a suburb of Damaged cars and a partially damaged building are seen following an earthquake, in Zagreb, tered with debris. Concrete slabs fell immediate details on the extent of part of the city, some of which date Conakry, according to an AFP report- Croatia, on Sunday. on cars and chimneys landed in front other injuries. back to the 19th century. er and other witnesses. In another school nearby, voting equipment was vandalised. Since October, Guineans have pro- tested en masse against the possibility of Conde extending his grip on power. Bars closed? House parties and happy hours move online At least 31 people and one gendarme have been killed to date, according to an AFP tally. AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE also seen upticks. and wordplay. This is a draw for Fiama There are also questions about the LOS ANGELES, MARCH 22 For Esmee Lavalette, a Dutch Liaudat, a Spanish teacher from fairness of Sunday’s vote, which film student in Los Angeles, the lock- Argentina living in North Carolina. additionally is taking place amid Coronavirus lockdown or not, Amaya down has presented a chance to hang She and fellow teachers dotted mounting concern about the spread of Howard plans to unwind after a hard out with friends back in the across the state would typically the novel coronavirus in Africa, day’s work by sharing a few glasses of Netherlands—although the time dif- explore bars together, or meet at including two cases that officials wine with her friends. ference has necessitated some “day- someone’s home to play board games reported in Guinea. But with bars closing across the time drinking.” before the virus. “I have the impression our country United States, they have started meet- “They always have a weekly drinks “For us, the app means we can con- is taking things lightly,” said Amadou ing online via Houseparty—one of nights, but now since everything’s tinue, but on our phones,” she said. Oury Bah, a banker and politician several group video apps doing a roar- canceled, they decided to do it on - Up until four - who suspected the authorities were ing trade during the pandemic. Houseparty,” she said. “The weather is perfect here and more interested in their electoral cam- “The idea came about of doing a “And now for the first time in like a the night is warm, so I can imagine paign than keeping the country safe. happy hour—we just get on the app year-and-a-half, I could join them. So I being on the balcony with a beer play- The governing party called for peo- and just drink wine and talk,” she was drunk at like 2:00 pm.” ing with them,” she said. “But I have ple to vote as one official, Fode Cisse, said. “Mostly it’s about a lot of ran- The call ended when the night grew to make a new online shop now!” said: “We insist on the strict respect of domness, but occasionally someone too late in Europe—and Lavalette The surge in video group chats has health measures.” will say, ‘I just can’t believe how crazy returned to her homework. Even even presented the opportunity to Originally scheduled for March 1, what’s going on is.’” drinks for her graduation, which was make new friends. Conde postponed the referendum late She is not alone. Downloads of sim- set to take place this week, are now Howard, now back home in Dallas, last month after international criti- ilar apps—where each person who being shifted to cyberspace. used to chat with strangers through cism of some 2.5 million dubious logs in to a group chat appears in their “I still have a lot of beer leftover so AFP/RSS travel meet-up apps while living in names on the country’s electoral roll. own “window” on the screen of a that’s what I’m gonna drink,” A man wearing a face mask stands near a closed bar in Piazza Palazzo di Citta in Turin, Italy. Philadelphia, where she worked with Some 7.7 million people were on the phone, tablet or computer—have gone Lavalette said. “And some vodka.” non-profits. register, out of a total population through the roof. - ‘Girl’s night’ - “I’m quite extroverted... so obvious- category, but we all have drinks and They recently logged into about 13 million people. Just this month downloads of As well as a chance to catch up and ly this self-isolating is really difficult snacks,” she said. “We can keep it Houseparty where they all met for the The government says it has now Houseparty, which was highly popular blow off some steam, users say the for me,” she said. lighthearted so you don’t feel like first time face-to-face. scrubbed the problematic names, after with teens a couple of years ago, have apps are good for their mental health Chadwick and her friends usually you’re losing the plot.” “We were probably on it until four an expert team from the West Africa surged tenfold to 210,000 per day, in these anxious times. meet for a “girls night” once a month, One of the friends has “borrowed” in the morning, five in the morning... bloc ECOWAS urged doing so last according to Apptopia. Rachel Chadwick, a local govern- which is now being played out on a whiteboard from work to keep everybody had their own drinks,” week. Others such as Zoom, used mainly ment worker in Leeds, England, the app. scores on. she said. But Guinea’s embattled opposition for remote working, and Google has struggled with anxiety and “Tomorrow night we’re doing a lit- The Houseparty app also features “They definitely don’t feel like still doubts the vote’s credibility. Hangouts, Skype and Rave have depression. tle pub quiz where each of us has a built-in games such as trivia, drawing strangers to me now.”

C M Y K 09 | MONDAY, MARCH 23, 2020 ASIA India holds lockdown Asia steps up corona virus efforts as to test virus defences AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE second wave of infections strikes NEW DELHI, MARCH 22 Outside China, South Korea is the hardest-hit country in Asia with over 8,500 cases. Millions of Indians went into lock- India allows Dutch jet down on Sunday as the country brought most of its vast railway after corona confusion AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE network to a halt in a bid to slow the HONG KONG, MARCH 22 spread of the deadly coronavirus. strands passengers Most domestic flights were ground- From Australia’s Bondi Beach to the ed and shops shut their doors for the THE HAGUE: A group of more than 100 streets of New Delhi, authorities 14-hour curfew that is designed to passengers stranded at Amsterdam’s across Asia ramped up efforts this test the country’s ability to fight the airport after their flight to New Delhi weekend to stem the coronavirus amid pandemic. turned around midair due to confu- fears of a second wave of infections in Normally bustling streets in the sion over coronavirus rules finally places where outbreaks had appeared capital New Delhi and financial hub departed for India on Sunday, officials under control. of Mumbai were mostly deserted as said. Tighter travel restrictions were the shutdown began at 7:00 am (0130 Because of the pandemic, India has imposed in several countries while GMT). imposed a bar on flights from Europe Malaysia deployed its army to enforce Incoming international flights have and from Sunday a one-week complete a lockdown as the number of cases in also been banned. ban on all incoming international the region soared past 95,000—a third While the lockdown was not manda- commercial flights comes into force. of the world’s infections, an AFP tally tory, Prime Minister Narendra Modi The KLM flight carrying around 120 shows. urged the population of 1.3 billion to passengers left Amsterdam’s Schiphol Outside China—where the virus help prepare for the challenges ahead. airport late Friday but had to make a was first detected in December and “Let us all be a part of this curfew, U-turn over Russia mid flight after infected more than 80,000 people— which will add tremendous strength being told by India to return to its South Korea is the hardest-hit country to the fight against COVID-19 men- point of departure. in Asia with over 8,500 cases. ace,” Modi tweeted. “Today a group of stranded travel- While the number of infections in “Stay indoors and stay healthy.” lers from India have left from Schiphol China has been falling for weeks, Health ministry official Lav to go home,” said Hans Leijtens, the other countries are seeing the toll Agarwal said the government is seek- head of the Dutch Royal Military gather pace as the highly contagious ing “unity in isolation”. Police, which deals with borders. virus takes hold. Only a handful of people ventured “Good work by the Royal Military Cases rose by roughly a third in into Delhi’s popular Lodhi Gardens Police, KLM, Schiphol and other Thailand overnight to nearly 600, fue- park which security guard Jaiveer organisations involved in receiving ling scepticism about claims in neigh- Singh said was usually packed. and taking care of the group in recent bouring Myanmar and Laos of zero “If this helps stop the spread, then days,” he said on Twitter. infections. the government can think of extend- KLM confirmed the flight was leav- Three doctors treating virus ing it for two to three more days,” ing, saying it was a “result of consul- patients in Indonesia died, taking the Singh said. tations between various authorities”, country’s death toll to 48 with 514 con- The curfew—which some see as a the Dutch news agency ANP reported. firmed infections. rehearsal for a longer lockdown— The passengers included a pregnant Most cases are in the capital of comes as the number of confirmed woman who needed medical treatment Jakarta where businesses have been COVID-19 cases in India surges past on returning to Amsterdam. ordered to close for two weeks. 320, with five deaths reported so far. After shutting its borders to foreign- AFP/RSS But experts say a lack of testing ers and non-residents, Australia has A guard wearing a facemask amid concerns over the spread of the COVID-19 holds a thermal gun to check the body temperature of visitors at could be hiding the true scale of the medical workers and other emergency told citizens to cancel their domestic the entrance of a restaurant area in Shanghai. health crisis in the country. personnel by clapping or banging pots travel plans too as the number of Testing for the virus has been and pans for five minutes at 5:00 pm. cases topped 1,300. nearly 13,000 worldwide. people return from abroad. virus. Prison guards opened fire on expanded to private laboratories and Residents in numerous cities held a Bondi Beach and several other pop- Testing also has been expanded in Singapore is banning all short-term inmates in Sri Lanka’s north after will now include asymptomatic people practice session Saturday, generating ular swimming spots were shut to the the country of 1.3 billion people amid visitors to the densely populated city- they tried to break out in protest over who have had contact with confirmed a deafening cacophony as they stood public after crowds of sunbathers concerns that the more than 320 state after a surge of imported cases a ban on family visits to prevent the cases. on their balconies banging cookware. defied a ban on large outdoor gather- reported cases vastly understate the took its total to 432—including its first spread of the virus. In a sign of growing anxiety, Indian This “is most likely a dry run for a ings. Pubs, casinos, cinemas and plac- true scale of the health crisis. two deaths on Saturday. Two convicts were killed and six Railways, one of the world’s biggest more prolonged curfew when rather es of worship will be shuttered for up The World Health Organization has In Hong Kong, where the worst had others wounded. networks, cancelled all services except than if the situation deteriorates,” to six months from Monday. called for “aggressive” action in appeared to be over, the number of Papua New Guinea, which has suburban and goods trains until Milan Vaishnav, a senior fellow at the Pakistan suspended international Southeast Asia amid fears a major cases has nearly doubled in the past one confirmed infection, declared a March 31. Carnegie Endowment for flights in a desperate bid to prevent outbreak of the virus could cause week as more people fly back to the 30-day state of emergency and halted The move will affect more than 20 International Peace think-tank, told the virus spreading in a country with some decrepit health care systems in financial hub. domestic flights and public transport million passengers a day and comes AFP. more than 300 reported cases. the region to collapse. Infections in Malaysia hit 1,306— for two weeks. after several people tested positive for India has an overburdened public Millions of people in India were In places where outbreaks more than half linked to an interna- Guam, which has 15 cases, con- the virus after trips. health system that suffers from a lack in lockdown Sunday as the govern- appeared to have been brought under tional Islamic gathering held last firmed a 68-year-old woman had died Modi also urged Indians to thank of doctors and hospitals and experts ment tests the country’s ability to control, authorities are now dealing month, with attendees later returning of COVID-19—the first virus-related fight the pandemic that has killed with a second wave of infections as to Singapore and Indonesia with the death in the Pacific.

Maoist rebels gun Without soap or sanitiser, down 17 Indian Syrian refugees face virus threat police personnel REUTERS Health Minister Hamad Hassan AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE BEIRUT, MARCH 22 said refugee health care was a respon- RAIPUR (INDIA), MARCH 22 sibility shared by the state and United Syrian refugee Mohamed al-Bakhas is Nations agencies but he said the inter- Hundreds of Maoist rebels gunned doing his best to protect his family national community had been slow to down 17 Indian security forces in one from coronavirus by keeping their react to the crisis. “The international of the deadliest ambushes in recent camp as clean as he can. But without community with its UN agencies is a years by the militants, a police spokes- enough soap or the money to buy san- bit late in putting plans, thinking man said. itizer or face masks, there is only so about establishing a field hospital or More than 300 armed rebels took much he can do. supporting the health ministry so that part in the attack on a police comman- “They gave us an awareness session it can carry out its obligations towards do patrol in the jungles of Sukma dis- and one bar of soap each, but this is its people: Lebanese society in addi- trict of Chhattisgarh state in central not enough,” said Bakhas, 40, refer- tion to the Palestinian and Syrian India, police superintendent Shalab ring to aid workers who visited his brothers,” Hamad said. Sinha told AFP. camp in northern Lebanon this week. The UNHCR refugee agency said Large numbers of reinforcements “We ask for disinfectants, sanitisers efforts to fight the spread of coronavi- were sent to the district on Sunday. for the camp. We are a big group,” said rus to refugee communities had start- “We have recovered 17 bodies and Bakhas, who fled to Lebanon from ed early on. another 15 police are being treated for Homs in Syria eight years ago and Awareness campaigns and the dis- injuries,” he said. lives with his wife and child. tribution of hygiene materials were Other officials said four Maoists Lebanon has recorded 149 cases of underway and preparations were were killed in the battle on Saturday. coronavirus. Four people have died being made for additional hospitalisa- The toll was the worst for Indian from the virus so far. tion capacity that may be needed. security forces battling the extreme No cases have been recorded yet “We are all working around the left-wing guerillas since April, 2017 among Syrian refugees, who number clock,” said Lisa Abou Khaled, com- when 25 police commandos were around 1 million of Lebanon’s popula- munications officer at UNHCR in killed in an attack in the same district. tion of 6 million. Lebanon. Sixteen commandos were also killed As Lebanon’s public health system Given the high population density in a bomb attack in the western state struggles with the outbreak, the gov- of the camps, Hamad noted the diffi- of Maharashtra before India’s elec- ernment is worried about the virus culties of maintaining personal tion last year that was blamed on AFP/RSS spreading to camps for both Syrian hygiene and said the spread of corona- the Maoists. Residents hang washing out to dry at a residental building in Hong Kong on Sunday. and Palestinian refugees. virus was a real danger. North Korea praises US President Trump but warns on relationship

AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE ongoing pandemic”. Pyongyang set Washington a unilat- Photos carried by the official SEOUL, MARCH 22 “The President looks forward to eral end-2019 deadline to offer fresh Rodong Sinmun newspaper showed continued communications with concessions, and in late December Kim, in a black leather trench coat Donald Trump has sent a letter to Kim Chairman Kim”, the official said. Kim declared the North no longer con- with a broad smile, surrounded by Jong-un detailing a plan to develop While the letter reflects “excellent” sidered itself bound by its moratori- cheering officers in an observation ties, state media reported citing the ties between the two leaders, Kim Yo ums on nuclear and intercontinental post. North Korean leader’s powerful sister, Jong warned that broader relations ballistic missile tests. None of the officers were wearing but she warned their good personal between their two nations are - ‘Tactical guided weapon’ - face masks, in contrast to recent drills, relationship is not enough, as a hiatus different. Rachel Minyoung Lee, senior ana- when all but Kim donned face cover- in disarmament talks drags on. “We try to hope for the day when the lyst with specialist site NK News, said ings against the coronavirus out- The statement by Kim Yo Jong came relations between the two countries the statement from Kim Yo Jong— break. North Korea insists it has not a day after the nuclear-armed North would be as good as the ones between which followed a new weapons test by yet seen a confirmed case on its soil. fired what appeared to be two short- the two top leaders, but it has to be left Pyongyang—was well-timed to clearly Shortly before the latest launch, range ballistic missiles off its east to time and be watched whether it can show the North’s intentions. KCNA reported that the rubber-stamp coast on Saturday, the latest such actually happen,” the sister said. “Bottom line: Kim-Trump personal parliament, the Supreme People’s action it has taken this year. Analysts say the North has been ties are great but are not enough, and Assembly, would convene on April 10. “In the letter, he (Trump)... continuing to refine its weapons capa- we will press ahead with our weapons The event would involve gathering explained his plan to propel the rela- bilities more than a year after a sum- development agenda,” she said. nearly 700 officials in one place, ana- tions between the two countries of the mit between Kim Jong Un and Trump AFP/RSS On Saturday Kim Jong Un observed lysts said. Such events have been DPRK and the US and expressed his broke down in Hanoi. The deadlock is A file photo shows North Korea’s leader Kim Jong-un (left) and US President Donald Trump “the demonstration fire of (a) tactical banned in many parts of the world to intent to render cooperation in the over sanctions relief and what North shaking hands during a meeting in the Demilitarized zone. guided weapon”, to showcase the char- curb the spread of new coronavirus. anti-epidemic work,” an apparent ref- Korea would be willing to give up in acteristics “and power of a new weap- Leif-Eric Easley, a professor at erence to the coronavirus pandemic, return. with her brother but added: “Nobody “unilateral and greedy intention”, she on system to be delivered” to army Ewha University in Seoul, told AFP Kim Yo Jong said in the statement Pyongyang—which is under multi- knows how much the personal rela- said, relations between the two coun- units, KCNA reported on Sunday. earlier that Pyongyang is likely strug- carried by the North’s Korean Central ple sets of United Nations sanctions tions would change and lead the pro- tries would continue to deteriorate. In addition, he spoke of “tactical gling with the pandemic, even though News Agency (KCNA) on Sunday. over its weapons programmes—has spective relations between the two Trump, whose closeness to the and strategic weapon systems in the the regime has not reported any cases. A senior administration official repeatedly said amicable ties between countries, and it is not something North Korean leader and other global development stage”, the report said. The UN Security Council has said it confirmed Trump sent a letter to Kim the leaders were not enough. good to make hasty conclusion or be strongmen has raised concerns at Late last year, the leader had threat- would make humanitarian exemp- Jong Un, “consistent with his efforts Kim Yo Jong praised Trump’s optimistic about it.” home, is seeking re-election in ened a demonstration of a “new stra- tions to sanctions on North Korea to to engage global leaders during the efforts to maintain good relations If the US continued to pursue its November’s US election. tegic weapon” soon. help it fight the coronavirus.

C M Y K MONDAY, MARCH 23, 2020 | 10 CULTURE & ARTS Scintillating shows to stream that are not mind-numbing There’s a plethora of stuff to watch online, but so much of it is tedious and dim. Watch these shows to learn something about people you might not know much about.

ANKIT KHADGI Special KATHMANDU Representation matters. And It’s a hard time for everyone. Netflix’s Special is proof. Based on Coronavirus has affected everything the memoir, I’m Special: And Other more than public health, curtailing Lies We Tell Ourselves by Ryan mobility, economy and socialisation. O’Connell, the show is a coming-of- The government has urged everyone age story of Ryan Hayes, played by to limit their movement outdoors, as O’Connell himself—who’s also the social distancing has been deemed one writer—and how he deals to change Her Story possible way to flatten the curve of the his identity, which has been always pandemic; many are staying home. limited to his sexual orientation and Who said you need to have a Netflix It might be a difficult time given the physical ability. or Amazon Prime Account to watch fact that fear is hounding people, and Besides being tender, warm and great shows? YouTube also has some cabin fever slowly takes a hold of the engaging, the show leaves an ever- great stuff that one can watch with- especially health-conscious among us, lasting impact thanks to its treat- out paying a penny. An Emmy nomi- but streaming sites can help. While ment of minority characters, as it nated series, Her Story, chronicles there’s plenty of drivel on the tube portrays them with empathy rather the lives of transgender and queer and online, perhaps now is the time to than sympathy, which is only possi- women in their journey of finding learn about people from walks of life ble due to the presence of O’Connell love. you’ve never paid attention to? during the film-making process. The show has an authentic sto- Whether that’s looking at the way O’Connell, who is a queer individual ry-telling along with bringing an entrepreneurs think, to learning with mild cerebral palsy, produced important never-told plot of queer about women’s reproductive rights, eight-episode, with not more than 15 women to the table. And with just six differently-abled people or LGBTI minutes per episode. This can be a episodes not longer than 10 minutes, issues, here are some shows that will relatively guilt-free binge, which can this show hooks you till its last epi-

both distract and engage you. YOUTUBE VIA EENSHOTS SCR be consumed in just one go. sode.

Made in Heaven

While celebrity weddings have been making headlines in Nepal recently, our southern neighbours will beat us any day in terms of pomp, grandeur and extrav- agance. From making Beyonce dance at sangeet, to making Bollywood heart- throbs perform as backdrop dancers, the big fat Indian weddings are crazy and expensive. Unravelling what goes behind the scenes of such weddings, Amazon Prime’s Made in Heaven, created by Reema Kagti and Zoya Akhtar, could be a great show to binge while staying indoors. What makes this nine-episode series great is the settings and the characters. It’s realistic, and many people could relate to the stories unfolding in the series. The writers, rather than giving white or black shades to the characters, make them as humane as possible, which makes the interesting premise engaging and watchable.

Pitchers Nirnaya

One of the first Indian production companies to venture into the streaming ser- Although the Nepali movie industry has made a few films with cinematic bril- vice, The Viral Fever (TVF) redefined the web series scenario in 2015, with its liance in recent times, the web and television platforms haven’t seen much pro- cleverly written series, ‘Pitchers’. A story about four friends who decide to leave gress. Nonsensical comedy, lacking sharp writing, cliche stories and infuriating their mundane job to start their own company, ‘Pitchers’ has everything a great acting, all of these have curtailed the growth of the Nepali web and television show should have; comical dialogue, an engaging plotline, and great acting per- series. formances. But among all of the available options, Nirnaya, a Gauthali Entertainment This could be a great show to binge-watch, especially for all those people with Production, is actually a decent watch. Tackling the issue of safe abortion, the entrepreneurial zeal. Perhaps this could push you to start that business you show boasts of sensitive representation of the topic and, given the performance always wanted to. You can watch it free, by downloading TVF’s app or through and production is a bit better than other available options of Nepali web series, their website. one can easily binge-watch all the six episodes in an hour on YouTube. America’s small movie theatres fear coronavirus could mean their last picture show The global outbreak has put the biggest strain on movie theatres in the industry’s 115-year history. Most theatres in the US , and many around the world, are closed to help prevent the novel coronavirus from spreading.

LISA RICHWINE

Members of the Bagby family have “We’ve been around operated movie theatres in small US towns for four generations. With the since 1924. We hope coronavirus outbreak forcing their we can continue to 400 screens to go dark indefinitely, some of them worry that run could be around, come to an end. The family’s Missouri-based compa- but we’re a little ny closed its 50 B&B Theatres loca- tions in seven states this week and scared right now.” imposed its first layoffs ever, affecting 1,980 workers. Beyond that challenge, it is unclear “We’ve been around since 1924,” when theatres will have fresh movies B&B Chief Executive Bob Bagby said to show. in an interview. “We hope we can con- Hollywood studios have postponed tinue to be around, but we’re a little many films that were set to debut in scared right now.” the coming weeks, including Walt The global coronavirus outbreak Disney Co’s epic adventure Mulan and has put the biggest strain on movie Marvel movie Black Widow, which theatres in the industry’s 115-year his- had been slated to kick off the lucra- tory. Most theatres in the United tive summer blockbuster season on States, and many around the world, May 1. Release dates for those films are closed to help prevent the novel are now unknown. coronavirus from spreading. Moviegoers also may be reluctant to Operators are unsure when they return to crowds even when authori- will be able to switch on the marquee ties say it is safe. Operators said they lights again. Some voiced concern were trying to provide financial help that they might not be able to reopen to employees during the closures, and at all if the shutdown lingers for the theatre association announced a months. The theatre business already $1 million fund to assist displaced was facing competition from stream- workers. Many in the industry are ing services such as Netflix Inc. hopeful movie-going will see a resur- Website Deadline Hollywood esti- gence after restrictions are lifted and mated that US and Canadian box offic- people who have been staying home es could lose $2 billion if theatres return to everyday activities. remained closed until the end of May, “I’m very confident the industry though it noted that some industry will bounce back,” said Aaron sources believe that could be recouped Donaldson, who with his wife owns later in the year. the single-screen Lake Theatre in Clear To help theatres stay solvent, the Lake, Iowa. “Once we are allowed to go National Association of Theatre back out there, I hope people are going Owners on Wednesday urged the U.S. to really enjoy being out, and they’ll go Congress and the Trump administra- to the movies more.” tion to provide tax benefits and other REUTERS In the meantime, the Bagby family emergency relief. has appealed to lawmakers to help The industry employs more than healthy during economic downturns sions are being sold, operators still know if I can make it six months with- would be closing theatres for up to keep theatres afloat, noting that the 150,000 people in the United States, the when people sought a relatively inex- have bills to pay for rent, mortgages, out any business,” O’Meara said. “I’m three months. If that happened, the local movie house is a primary source group said, from ticket sellers to pro- pensive form of entertainment. utilities and other costs. hoping for a two- to three-month turn- company said it could be unable to of entertainment in many small towns jectionists, concessions workers and “This is the first time we’ve ever Mark O’Meara, owner of University around.” make its debt payments. and a bedrock of American culture. cleaning crews. had to face mass layoffs in our indus- Mall Theatres and Cinema Arts When theatres do re-open, they face “Our slogan is ‘bringing Hollywood Theatre owners took pride in stay- try,” said Brittanie Bagby, who serves Theatres in Fairfax, Virginia, said he Big cinema groups struggle too costs such as replacing expired food, to your hometown,’” Bobbie Bagby ing open during previous crises as executive vice president at B&B would try to negotiate new terms for Even the largest theatre chains are candy and soda. One B&B location had said. “Long term, I really hope we can including World War II and after the Theatres alongside her sister Bobbie rent payments with his landlord to under pressure. Cineworld Group Plc, just received a $3,000 food shipment get back open in those communities. Sept. 11, 2001 attacks and offering a and brother Brock. “Our hearts are help get through the coronavirus cri- which operates 9,500 theatres world- that was given to employees because it It’s one of the ways we will get peo- respite from the world’s troubles. Plus, breaking.” sis. wide including 7,000 in the United would have gone bad during the clo- ple’s hopes back up.” the movie business typically remained While no movie tickets or conces- “If this goes six months, I don’t States, said the worst-case scenario sure. —Reuters

C M Y K 11 | MONDAY, MARCH 23, 2020 SPORTS BRIEFING Europe’s footballers focus on fitness amid lockdown ANFA offers its facilities for quarantine purpose Although it is uncertain when the leagues will resume, the season could restart in a matter of weeks and clubs are determined to be ready. KATHMANDU: The All Nepal Football AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE Association (ANFA) has offered its MADRID, MARCH 22 facilities to be turned into temporary quarantine and isolation wards in the Juventus midfielder Sami Khedira is country’s fight against coronavirus. learning to play the piano, La Liga The Association has offered Academy clubs are facing off on playstation and hostels at its headquarters in Atalanta’s Robin Gosens has been Satdobato, and in Butwal and revising for exams in psychology. Dharan, along with its newly con- Yet as thousands of footballers, structed women’s academy facilities from the highest levels to the lower in Rautahat. Issuing a statement on leagues, remain on lockdown while Sunday, ANFA said: “The Nepal gov- coronavirus spreads across Europe, ernment, provincial governments and all of them are tasked with keeping local governments could use the acad- themselves fit, as well as entertained. emies for temporary quarantine and “Everyone needs to be ready so that isolation if required.” All sports when the health advice says resume, activities in the country including the we can resume straight away,” ongoing Martyrs Memorial ‘B’ Emmanuel Orhant, medical director Division League, which was into the of the French Football Federation sixth round, were called off due to (FFF), told AFP. coronavirus fears. Nepal has seen Nobody knows when that will be only one imported Covid-19 case and and with the global death toll from the patient has recovered. (SB) coronavirus passing 13,000, there is little appetite yet even to address the question. But within football, the Premier League targets absence of a deadline only enhances June return the sense of urgency. In theory, the LONDON: The English Premier League season could restart in a matter of is tentatively targeting a resumption weeks and clubs are determined to be on June 1 with a view to completing ready. the season over six weeks before mak- “Players may even need to get their ing an August start to the 2020-21 summer break in now,” Brighton campaign, the Sunday Telegraph striker Glenn Murray told AFP. “We reported on Sunday. The report said might finish the 2019/20 season and the sketchy plan was a “best-case sce- then roll into 2020/21 without any nario” aimed at mitigating the heavy break at all.” Asked if the players losses clubs are sustaining as they would accept that scenario, Murray continue to pay wages while football said: “We don’t have any choice.” remains shut down because of the It means fitness coaches and club coronavirus pandemic. On March 13, doctors are creating week-to-week all elite level football matches in conditioning programmes, personal- England, including the Premier ised for individual players, explained AP/RSS League, were suspended until through Whatsapp and Skype, and Almost empty stadium approaches are seen around the Etihad Stadium where Manchester City were due to play Burnley in an English Premier League match on March 14. April 4 with that stoppage dependent on both technology and subsequently extended until trust. “Every one of our players has Many players already have gyms at coaches to reinforce key messages. Inter Milan’s Belgian striker there’s only so much Netflix you can April 30. (REUTERS) been given the guidance they need home but club owners have paid thou- Atletico are also particularly strin- Romelu Lukaku is unable to see his watch.” from our coaches, nutritionists and sands to ensure those without have all gent on diets. Like most clubs, they mother, who has high-risk diabetes, More generally, there seems to be an doctors,” Real Betis head of medical the equipment they need. deliver meals devised by their nutri- while Real Madrid’s Luka Jovic broke acceptance that no matter how thor- Real Madrid’s former president Jose Manuel Alvarez told AFP. “It is “A football player’s mechanics are tionists but players also choose self-isolation rules when attempting to ough the programmes, players will up to them to take it.” precise, complex and sophisticated,” between options for lunch and dinner, visit his girlfriend in Serbia. return considerably less fit and far Sanz dies of Covid-19 Betis, who sit 12th in La Liga, have Marseille president Jacques-Henri which they then eat at the same time “Some of our foreign guys have more prone to injury. MADRID: Former Real Madrid presi- divided their squad into groups Eyraud told AFP. “And they require as their teammates. missed the opportunity to go home,” Philippe Piat, president of FIFPro, dent Lorenzo Sanz, who was hospital- depending on physical characteris- almost daily maintenance.” Yet many Self-discipline will not come easy to Brighton’s Murray said. “It’s which represents professional ised with coronavirus, died on tics, with one coach assigned to each. clubs believe there is more to it than some. “Of course some players are extremely difficult for them.” Older players worldwide, told AFP: “The Saturday at the age of 76, his son Devices then send data on fatigue, bikes and treadmills. better than others at handling this players like Murray, who is 36, also doctors say 15 days off needs 15 days announced. Sanz was in charge of the sleep, pain and even moods while play- In Germany, Bayern Munich held sitation,” Jonathan Barnett, agent of feel the frustration of time being of training so what will it take if there Spanish giants from 1995-2000, over- ers submit reports to the doctors on their first ‘cyber-training’ session on Gareth Bale and Stella Group, told wasted. “It’s made me more deter- are three weeks off ? They were clear: seeing two Champions League titles. their weight and temperature, and to Wednesday, when the players worked AFP. “Players are human beings too mined to play as long as I can,” Murray don’t be surprised if there are “My father has just passed away. He the fitness department regarding tar- out through video-conference and and at the moment they’re very said. injuries.” did not deserve this ending and in gets achieved. then stayed online for an almost an frustrated.” And for those where football has “The risk of injury is something we this way,” tweeted his son, Lorenzo “Players know if they don’t do their hour to catch up. In France, Lyon have Much will depend on personal cir- forever been a way of life, boredom really do expect,” said Betis doctor Sanz junior. Three days ago, Sanz Jr, job they will be at a clear disadvantage told their players to rest until March cumstances. Lockdown can either can quickly take hold. “It’s so strange Alvarez. “They will never reach the a former professional basketball play- against their teammates when normal 24, while in Spain, Atletico Madrid offer the chance to spend more time not being able to train,” AC Milan level of a normal training session, er, said that his father had been training resumes,” Alvarez says. In have done tactical work, with video with family or leaves family far away goalkeeper Asmir Begovic said last that’s obvious. It’s a strange and com- admitted to a Madrid hospital. (AFP) that sense, they are given no excuses. meetings held between players and and unusually difficult to reach. week. “You try to do other things but pletely new situation for everyone.” Tokyo Olympics organisers looking Fellaini first Chinese Uncertainty looms over Super League player for potential alternative plans to test positive football’s transfer industry AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE Nobody knows when the current season ends. Some top SHANGHAI, MARCH 22 class players will run out of contract on July 1. Footballer Marouane Fellaini has tested positive for the coronavirus, AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE his club Shandong Luneng said PARIS, MARCH 22 Sunday, the former Manchester United player becoming the first With football having ground to a halt known case in the Chinese Super because of the coronavirus pandemic, League (CSL). the usual transfer rumour mill has The 32-year-old Belgian internation- fallen silent and nobody cares much al midfielder has a normal tempera- where Neymar or Paul Pogba might be ture and is feeling fine, Shandong playing next season. said, but “is under observation and Nobody even knows when next sea- having treatment at a designated med- son might be, and the financial impact ical facility”. “The club will do its on football clubs, and therefore the best... to help in the treatment and transfer market, is likely to be signifi- recovery of the player.” cant. A study by KPMG this week Fellaini, who had just returned to estimated that cancelling the rest of China, is the latest high-profile name this season would cost clubs across in football to catch the disease, along Europe’s top five leagues as much as with Juventus forward Paulo Dybala, four billion euros ($4.33 billion) in lost Chelsea winger Callum Hudson-Odoi revenue. REUTERS and Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta. The knock-on effect could be enor- Edinson Cavani Former Real Madrid president mous, trickling down to smaller clubs Lorenzo Sanz, who was hospitalised worldwide. After all, look at a club like Hearts have asked players and staff to with the coronavirus, died on Saturday Monaco, who have raked in huge sums accept 50 percent pay cuts. Meanwhile, at the age of 76. in recent years from selling players young players who are out of contract But Fellaini is the first confirmed like Kylian Mbappe, who went to Paris are a problem, points out David case in the CSL, dealing a blow to the Saint-Germain in 2018 for 180 million Venditelli, a French agent whose com- league’s hopes of starting the euros. They have then invested that pany Score represents Arsenal’s season as early as next month. money in new recruits, helping spread Alexandre Lacazette among others. The campaign was supposed to the wealth. “Things are on hold for these players egin last month but has been indefi- “Given the international situation, who are in a precarious position. They AP/RSS nitely postponed by the outbreak. clubs are going to be less inclined to are the ones who are the most in dan- A group of students from Uruguay pose for a souvenir picture on the Olympic Rings set outside the Olympic Stadium in Tokyo on Saturday. Fellaini, also formerly of Everton, pay the kind of sums we look for,” ger,” he says. joined Shandong Luneng from admitted Monaco’s vice-president, More free agents might find them- REUTERS not authorised to speak to the media. ahead as planned, drawing fire from English giants United in February Oleg Petrov. Nevertheless, beyond selves on the market, but the biggest TOKYO, MARCH 22 “We are making alternative plans - athletes who say that could be a health last year for a reported 7.2 million worrying about who Mbappe, Neymar Champions League stars are unlikely plan B, C, D - looking at different post- risk. Two other insiders, both senior euros. or Pogba could sign for, there is a more to be impacted. Super-agents will keep Tokyo 2020 organisers have started ponement time-frames,” said the offi- members of the Tokyo 2020 organising Chinese officials, concerned pressing concern. playing the game, like Mino Raiola, drafting possible alternatives to hold- cial, adding the scenarios included committee, echoed those concerns. about a second wave of virus infec- UEFA’s commitment to ending the whose clients include Pogba and ing the Olympics this summer, two cost estimates for different delays. One of them, a board member of the tions from abroad, will be taking a European season by June 30 was sure- Borussia Dortmund’s Erling Braut sources familiar with the talks said, in Neither Tokyo 2020 organisers nor the organising committee, said the deci- close look at Fellaini’s recent travel ly partly because it is common prac- Haaland. Raiola told Spanish sports contrast to the Japanese government’s International Olympic Committee sion to postpone should be made history to see who he had contact tice for contracts to run until that daily Marca this week that he hoped stance that postponement is not an (IOC) immediately responded to a quick l y. with. date. Players like Manchester City’s “to one day transfer a massive player option. request for comment. The government “The more they push the decision Having flown from Singapore to David Silva, Willian at Chelsea, or to Real Madrid” and would “try to do While the coronavirus outbreak has of Japan could not be reached for away ... more and more preparations Shanghai, he reportedly took a Paris Saint-Germain’s Thiago Silva it this summer”. disrupted sports events around the comment. have to be made - this will cause can- high-speed train from there early on and Edinson Cavani, will be free to Elsewhere, the dynamics of the world, Japan has been steadfast in The options, which include scaling cellation fees to go through the roof,” Friday to Jinan, the city home to leave on July 1 even if the season has market may change. “In some ways saying that the Games will go on. The back the Games or holding them with- the board member said. Bach recently Shandong Luneng. He was taken by not been completed. people will be eyeing up bargains,” top government spokesman on out spectators, would be debated by appeared to shift his tone, saying the car to a quarantine area and tested for FIFA has set up a working group says one agent with in-depth knowl- Wednesday said Tokyo wasn’t prepar- the organising committee at the end IOC was “considering different sce- the virus on Saturday, Chinese media which could amend rules on transfers edge of the British market. “A dis- ing for postponement. of March, the official said. The second narios”. said. and make changes to “protect con- tressed club becomes a motivated sell- Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has source, who is also close to the Tokyo Japan’s Nikkei newspaper said in a Also on Saturday, the Chinese tracts for both players and clubs”. er, so there will be a fire sale of a dis- staked his legacy as Japan’s long- 2020 organising committee, confirmed report on its website on Sunday that Football Association said that the However, clubs are already having to tressed club selling its assets.” est-serving premier on the Games and that postponement was being dis- the IOC will hold a board meeting this country’s best-known player, forward take drastic action to stave off finan- However, the reality is that nothing is is hoping for a boom in tourism and cussed, including delays of one or two week, as calls from sporting organisa- Wu Lei, had also tested positive for the cial disaster. Some French sides, happening right now. consumer spending. At risk is more years. tions for the event to be postponed coronavirus. Wu, who plays for including Lyon, put their players on “Nobody wants to get involved in than $3 billion in domestic sponsor- Some organising staff were holding gathered pace. Spanish strugglers Espanyol, is in short-time working as a means of sav- that sort of thing now. Our primary ship, an Olympic record, and some $12 out hope for a delay of a month or 45 The official involved in drafting sce- self-isolation at home in Barcelona ing money. Swiss outfit Sion cancelled job now is to make sure all our staff billion spent on preparations. days, said the official involved in narios said a long delay could spark and has only mild symptoms. the contracts of nine players are looked after,” says Jonathan “Finally, we have been asked to drafting the scenarios. A final deci- complaints from older athletes and The coronavirus emerged in the who refused to go on temporary Barnett, whose clients include Gareth make a simulation in case of a post- sion on postponement will have to require keeping sponsors on board for central Chinese city of Wuhan in unemployment. Bale. “We all have the same problems, ponement,” said one of the sources, an come from the IOC but Japan’s stance longer. Another headache is the more December and has since spread across In Scotland it is not unusual for with uncertainty and things. We’re official close to the organising com- also matters. than 60 sponsors. “No one wants to be the world and become a pandemic, player contracts to expire immediate- not thinking about the summer or mittee. Both sources spoke on condi- The IOC and its powerful chief, the first to say anything about the killing 13,000 people and infecting ly after the scheduled last game of the transfers because we don’t know how tion of anonymity because they were Thomas Bach, say the Games will go possibility of a postponement.” more than 300,000. season in May. In any case, struggling far this thing is going to go.”

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