By TRN Online, Kathmandu, May 19: Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has said that the government has so far built infrastructure to keep 97,000 people in quarantine and 3,000 people in isolation in the country in relation to the battle against COVID-19 pandemic .

The PM said so today while responding to the queries of the lawmakers over the Policy and Programme of the government for the upcoming fiscal year FY 2020/2021 as presented by President Bidya Devi Bhandari on May 15 at the joint session of the federal parliament.

PM Oli said that 23 thousand quarantines in the country were well facilitated, adding, the government is making utmost efforto to keep the country free from COVID-19.

"Currently, 396 people are receiving treatment in isolation in Nepal," said the PM. "More than 3,000 people can be kept in isolation all over the country at a time."

Due to the foreign returnees, we've been unsuccessful in the campaign to make Nepal free from the new coronavirus, he said.

"Due to lack of awareness in citizens about the virus and its preventive measures, the possibility of the virus emerging as a threat to public health is increasing here," he said.

Stressing that lockdown and quarantine was vital in combating the virus, PM Oli said that Nepal had entered into nationwide lockdown after detection of COVID-19 infection in two persons.

The PM also said that the government had been receiving massive support from the citizens.

"Except some who are trying to politicise even the virus, we have received immense support from our citizen in the battle against COVID-19," said PM Oli.

Nepal and Nepalis are in difficult and abnormal situation now. The pandemic has already entered Nepal, he said.

Expressing grief over death of two people from COVID-19, the PM said, "Our effort to not let anyone lose their life to the virus has become unsuccessful."

He also expressed deep condolence to the bereaved families and hope for speedy recovery of those infected who are undergoing treatment.

The PM also said that Nepal could still be freed from COVID-19 if we all worked together for it.