It has been more than two months since the country went into lockdown which the government enforced to check the spread of novel coronavirus disease. The nationwide lockdown will be in effect till June 2. The government has sealed off the borders, suspended international flights and implemented the hospital service operation action plan to successfully implement the lockdown. It is very tough and effective measure to flatten curve, thereby saving the lives of many people. It has been widely surmised that the situation could have gone out of control had this step not been taken in time. But the lockdown has come at the expense of people’s sufferings and huge economic loss. The commoners have supported the government in its fight against the COVID-19. There is a dilemma whether it is appropriate to continue the lockdown, which has invited many problems. However, saving the lives of people should be the first priority of the government. If people’s life comes under constant threat with the opening of market and public mobility, there is no sense in taking such steps in the midst of the pandemic.

In his televised address to the nation on Monday, Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli expressed commitment to taking all possible measures to protect people’s lives and the economy. The PM said: “As I have said earlier, life is the topmost priority of human beings. The government will leave no stone unturned to save people from the disease and starvation.” While stating that the ongoing battle against the coronavirus should not be weakened by any other issue, he has made some important announcements to instil confidence in the people hard hit by the virus. He said that the government would expand the scope of COVID-19 testing to at least two per cent of population, rescue the Nepali migrant workers stranded abroad, unveil relief packages to industrial and business sector and prevent the academic year of SEE’s students and plantation cycle in agriculture from going to waste, among others. It is a matter of satisfaction that the government is making necessary arrangement for tax subsidies, cost waivers and concessions on loan interest for the industries.

The PM has disclosed that necessary economic activities would restart by reducing the risk of pandemic. It is worth mentioning that the construction works of the national pride projects have continued even during the lockdown. The ongoing works of the Upper Tamakoshi Hydropower Project, Melamchi Drinking Water Project, Rani Pokhari and Dharahara reconstruction and airports in Pokhara, Bhairahawa and Kathmandu stand as examples that construction works go on by observing the proper social distancing and safety measures in place. But the government is not in a mood to relax administrative restrictions that limit people’s movements. It is wise that the federal government is forging partnership with the state and local governments to make them capable in setting up quarantine facilities, relief distribution and managing the import system. It is fitting approach to commercialise the agriculture sector to decrease the import of agro items, increase export, and create employment and self-employment in the sector. No doubt, it has become urgent to open the economic activities to maintain the supply of basic items. At the same time, we must not forget that the virus is not disappearing soon so all need to adopt strict social distancing, maintain a healthy lifestyle and diet to boost the immune system essential to fight COVID-19.