This report proposes a simple frameworkfor policy actions to effectively promote handwashing inNepal amid the COVID 19 (coronavirus) pandemic. Raisingawareness about proper handwashing is the cheapest, easiestand most important way to prevent the spread of thecoronavirus, but it is far from sufficient in Nepal. Nepalipopulation can be categorized into three groups based onhandwashing practices. Close to half of the population inNepal already have a fixed location for handwashing as wellas soap and water. Raising awareness through media outletswill be most effective for this group. More than 30 percenthave a handwashing location but without soap or water. SMSalerts coupled with media campaigns may be necessary as 20percent of this group do not use radio, TV, newspaper orInternet but more than 95 percent of them own a mobilephone. Providing or subsidizing soaps may also be necessary.The remaining 20 percent do not have a dedicated place forhandwashing, water, or soap. This group, who tend to bepoorer and harder to reach by media outlets, needs thegreatest policy intervention as they face more difficultiesto practice handwashing but can still become the nexus ofthe viral infection as half of them live in urban areas.Besides the immediate benefits of preventing coronavirusinfections, promoting regular handwashing can have manybenefits including reduction in acute respiratoryinfections,diarrhea, substantial reduction in neonatal infections, andoverall improved socio-economic outcomes in the long run.Policy interventions should consider these benefits ofimproving handwashing practices in this disadvantaged group.
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