The government has finally taken drastic measures to control the coronavirus pandemic on Wednesday.
It has decided to stop the Secondary Education Examination (SEE) starting from Thursday for now, according to political advisor to the prime minister Bishnu Rimal.
Education Minister Giriraj Mani Pokharel confirmed that examinations of Tribhuvan University (TU) to be held in the coming days have also been stopped.
The meeting of high level coordination committee for control of coronavirus held earlier on Wednesday had not decided to stop SEE.
The meeting had banned gathering of more than 25 persons at public places considering the high risk of pandemic.
The government banned gathering of more than 25 persons at party venues, temples or other religious places or any other public place. It also decided to shut down cinema halls, gym clubs, night clubs and other places where people gather until April 20.
It banned arrival of passengers from the Middle East and Gulf states, Iran, Turkey, Malaysia, Japan, South Korea and the whole of Europe.
Even Nepali nationals staying in those countries have been prohibited from returning to Nepal. No flights will arrive from these countries from Friday night.
"We have not asked to not operate flights from these countries. But what our decision of prohibiting anyone from there to come to Nepal means there will be no flights from these countries," Tourism Minister Yogesh Bhattarai told Setopati.
Nepali nationals in those countries cannot arrive even by taking any other routes.
"This ban is also for Nepalis," Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Ishwore Pokharel told Setopati. "No one can come to Nepal from the countries we mentioned even by using any other route."
