KATHMANDU: Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba has said that vaccination against COVID-19 and adherence to health protocol as well as awareness are needed to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
Stating that the new variant of COVID-19 has created problems in public health, the Prime Minister pointed out the need for vaccination against COVID-19, adherence to health safety standards, maintaining physical distance and washing hands regularly.
Speaking at the 9th meeting of the National Council for Disaster Risk Reduction and Management held here Monday, Prime Minister Deuba said that the media has an important role to play in raising awareness among the people and the prevention of COVID-19 infection. He directed the bodies concerned to launch a nationwide campaign on the prevention of COVID-19 and urged all organizations and political parties to cooperate in this regard.
Although the new variant of the COVID-19 Omicron has reduced mortality from infection, it has spread rapidly, he said, adding that the movement of people across the open border could lead to alarming situations. The first duty of the government is to save lives.
Stating that adequate testing should be done at the entry points and holding center should be set up immediately, the Prime Minister directed to immediately purchase the required amount of booster dose against COVID-19 and distribute it across the country with ease. He also drew attention of the authorities concerned towards providing necessary relief and compensation for the loss of life and property due to unseasonal rains a few months ago.
On the occasion, Vice-Chairperson of the main opposition party, CPN (UML), Subas Nembang, said that the government should be more active to prevent and control COVID-19, while expressing commitment that his party would provide necessary support in this regard. He urged the government to make necessary arrangement of vaccine against COVID-19 as soon as possible and administer vaccine to all the people.
Similarly, Chief Executive Officer of National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority, Anil Pokharel, briefed about the situation of reconstruction of structures damaged by disaster while Secretary at the Ministry of Health and Population, Dr Roshan Pokharel, spoke about the current situation of COVID-19 and the government’s performance in its prevention and control.
Likewise, Minister for Urban Development, Ram Kumari Jhakri, who joined the meeting virtually, briefed the meeting about the activities carried out by her ministry. Chief Ministers of the seven provinces briefed the meeting about the current situation of COVID-19 in their provinces and initiatives taken to prevent and control it.
Home Minister Bal Krishna Khand, Minister for Communications and Information Technology, Gyanendra Bahadur Karki, Finance Minister Janardan Sharma, Minister for Agriculture and Livestock Development, Mahendra Raya Yadav, Minister for Forest and Environment, Ram Sahay Prasad Yadav, Minister for Youth and Sports, Maheshwor Jung Gahatraj, Chief Secretary Shanker Das Bairagi and Chiefs of security bodies were present on the occasion.
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