Citizens urged to strictly adopt health protocols

The Ministry of Health and Population has urged all to follow health protocols in view of the second wave of COVID-19 outbreak and the detection of the UK variants of the virus in the country.

The stakeholders have been directed to adopt safety measures including physical distancing and others in educational institutions to stem the transmission of COVID-19 as new cases of infection among students are on the rise in major cities like Kathmandu and Pokhara. The notice issued by the ministry says the swab specimens of new cases are currently under observation at National Public Health Laboratory.

The ministry has urged citizens to avoid gathering and maintain physical distance while travelling by public transportation. The MoHP has further appealed to one and all not to take part in gatherings at shopping malls, theatre, cinema hall, party palace, health club, swimming pool, temples among other public places, and strictly maintain safety measures if and only if one has to attend.

The ministry has also issued a directive to all local levels and administrations to be cautious and be strict to ensure that the health protocols are being adopted citing that many Nepalis who have returned from foreign countries infected with coronavirus have either been staying in the home quarantine or isolation.

The Ministry of Health and Population (MoHP) Wednesday reported 298 new cases of coronavirus infection in Nepal. The addition of new cases has taken the country's COVID-19 tally to 278,768. Likewise, Kanchanpur district today reported the first death from COVID-19 in the second wave of the outbreak. 

Likewise, neighbouring India reported a record daily surge in new cases for the second time in four days. The densely populated cities like New Delhi, Mumbai and dozens of other cities have already announced that they are imposing curfews to try to slow the soaring infections.

Meanwhile, the health ministry also organised functions with the slogan, ' It's World Health Day: It's time to build a fairer, healthier world for everyone everywhere' to mark the World Health Day today.