SC orders govt to provide free PCR tests to quarantined

KATHMANDU, June 1: The Supreme Court (SC) has issued an interim order to the government requiring it to make arrangements for immediately providing polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests for COVID-19 to employees directly involved and working at the frontline and the people kept in quarantine. The apex court has also ordered that the tests be conducted as per the standard determined by the World Health Organization.

A division bench comprising Justice Prakash Man Singh Raut and Justice Kumar Regmi issued this order in the name of the government on Sunday.

It has ordered the government to make provisions for keeping doctors, nurses and employees deputed in the health services who are working in the frontline safe against COVID-19.

“Make arrangements and cause to make the same for immediately providing all medical materials including the PPEs, articles and tools required by employees deputed in health service, the sanitation workers and security personnel directly in contact with the general public, free of cost and in adequate quantity,” stated the SC.

The order also requires the government to immediately carry out cost-free PCR tests of all the people kept in quarantine. RSS