RASUWA, Jan 28: With a confirmed case of novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) reported in Kathmandu, authorities from Nepal and China agreed to close Nepal-China Rasuwagadhi border point for 15 days starting from Wednesday, officials said today.
During their meeting on Tuesday morning, security and immigration authorities from Nepal and China decided to close Rasuwagadhi border point for 15 days in a bid to strengthen vigil amid coronavirus outbreak in various parts of China. However, no case of coronavirus has been reported in the Tibetan Autonomous Region of China which shares 1414 kilometers border with Nepal.
Officials have cited two other reasons for closing Rasuwagadhi border point: continuous snowfall in bordering Kerung city of China and upcoming Lhosar festival.
Rasuwagadhi border to close for 15 days to prevent coranavirus
Deputy Superintendent of Police Indra Prasad Subedi said that those Nepali nationals who have previously obtained temporary pass will only be allowed to cross border point.
Tibet not affected by coronavirus
Tibetan Autonomous Region is the only province of China that hasn't reported any coronavirus case, Xinhua News Agency reported today.
According to the state-owned Chinese media, Tibet has activated second-level emergency response to contain the spread of viral pneumonia.
However, a task group led by senior officials of Tibet was set up along with the emergency response, Xinhua said.
So far Tibet has not reported any suspected or confirmed cases of pneumonia caused by the novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV).
Tibet temporarily closed its scenic attractions to tourists starting Monday to help battle the novel coronavirus epidemic, according to local tourism development bureau.
