By Laxman Kafle
Kathmandu, Oct.8: The Tatopani border point between Nepal and China, whose operation resumed on Monday, has been closed again after three Nepali workers tested positive for COVID-19.
The Tatopani border point, which had remained closed for three months due to floods and landslides, reopened from Monday.
“China has closed the checkpoint from Tuesday after three of the 29 loading workers sent to China were tested positive for COVID-19 in a Chinese lab test,” said Lal Bahadur Khatri, chief of Tatopani Customs Office.
No goods have entered through the checkpoint since Tuesday.
On Monday, 12 containers of clothes, readymade garments and some ready-made materials entered Nepal from Khasa, China.
Goods in Khasa area were unloaded by the Chinese customs agents at the Miteri Bridge which were then loaded onto the Nepali containers following zero-contact between the two parties.
“We are holding discussion with the Chinese side to resume the supply of goods complying with the health protocol,” Khatri told The Rising Nepal.
“The high risk of disease transmission can be averted if both Chinese and Nepali workers work following zero-contact system. The infected three have been kept in isolation now; we can resume the customs with another set of uninfected workers who are not in contact tracing list,” he added.
Nepal has requested China to the sent back the workers who are currently on the Chinese side.
The customs office has also been planning to set up well-equipped COVID-19 test lab, after which it can be operated smoothly.