By A Staff Reporter
Kathmandu, June 2: Almost 70 per cent of industries and businesses have been directly affected by the prohibition imposed to prevent and control COVID-19, according to the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI).
During telephone conversations with members of chambers of commerce and industry in seven provinces about the impact of the ban on industry, about 68 to 70 per cent of industries and businesses across the country were found to be directly affected by COVID-19, the FNCCI said.
Province-wise, about 82.7 per cent industries and businesses in Province-1; 75 per cent in Gandaki Province; 69 per cent in Bagmati Province, and 69 per cent in Province-2 have been affected.
Similarly, about 64.5 per cent industries and businesses in Lumbini Province; 57.7 per cent in Sudurpaschim Province and 45.5 per cent in Karnali Province have been affected due to COVID-19 restrictions, FNCCI said.
Due to the second wave of COVID-19 pandemic, the lockdown and prohibitory order that started in the Kathmandu Valley and some other districts on April 29 is now continuing in almost all districts.
Even though the prohibitory order imposed for the control of COVID-19 has affected the industry and business, the FNCCI network is currently working for health protection and assistance of the general public.
Businesses in all sectors except food, health-related, health and essential goods and services, drinking water and agriculture have come to a standstill. The shops are open only 3-4 hours in the morning.
At this time, entire private sector is fully supporting the government as it is more important to protect the health of Nepalis in line with social sentiment than industry and business, FNCCI said.
Expressing its commitment to join hands with the government and the general public to prevent and control COVID-19, the FNCCI appealed to its entire network to come forth for support from their respective sides.
The private sector is assisting in the construction, operation, provision of health supplies, easy supply of essential medicines, including oxygen / concentrator and help desk, it said.
The commodity associations of the FNCCI are also cooperating from their own level.
Similarly, FNCCI’s associate members, industrial and business houses, industrial establishments, banking sector are providing financial assistance to various hospitals, providing oxygen, medicine and essential health items.
The FNCCI itself has been operating three isolation centers in Kathmandu and Lalitpur to provide treatment and food to the infected people. The FNCCI has set up a relief fund for this.
The FNCCI has set up an isolation centre to help control the infection by keeping low-income, asymptomatic infected people out of work and there is a high risk of spreading the infection.
Hundreds of patients have so far received health counseling and necessary health care from the Hello Doctor Health Counseling and COVID-19 Help Centre run by the FNCCI to help COVID infected patients, FNCCI said.