"Vaccination & awareness imp to avoid COVID" PM Deuba

Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba said that vaccination and adherence to health protocols are needed to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Stating that the new variant of COVID has created problems in public health, the Prime Minister pointed out the need for vaccination, and adherence to health safety is important.

Speaking at the 9th meeting of the National Council for Disaster Risk Reduction and Management on Monday, PM Deuba said that the media has an important role to play to aware people of the prevention of COVID. He directed the concerned bodies to launch a nationwide campaign on the prevention of the virus and urged all organizations, political parties to cooperate.

Although the new variant 'Omicron' has reduced mortality rate, it has spread rapidly. He said that the movement of people across the open border could lead to alarming situations. He also persuaded all on adequate testing at the entry points and holding centers. Prime Minister directed to immediately purchase the required amount of booster dose.

On the occasion, Vice-Chairperson of the main opposition party, CPN (UML), Subas Nembang, also said that the government should be more active to prevent and control COVID-19.

He urged the government to make necessary arrangements for vaccines as soon as possible and administer vaccines to all.

Similarly, Chief Executive Officer of National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority, Anil Pokharel, briefed about the situation of reconstruction of damaged structures while Secretary at the Ministry of Health and Population, Dr Roshan Pokharel, spoke about the current situation and the government's performance in COVID 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 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 also present.