• NEPAL MASK CAMPAIGN
KATHMANDU, AUGUST 7
Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba has said efforts and cooperation from all sides will help control the spread of coronavirus.
Through a video message on the launch of 'Nepal Mask Campaign' by the Ministry of Health and Population today, PM Deuba reiterated that the government's lone efforts would not be enough to stem the spread of coronavirus.
PM Deuba said that the third wave of COVID-19 pandemic was imminent so additional caution was required.
"I urge all people, political parties, NGOs and private sector to strongly abide by health safety measures and not to hold programmes with crowds," he said in the video message. He further appealed to all not to move out of home, except for emergency and use mask properly.
Social distancing, hand washing with soap and adherence to other health safety measures should be top priorities, he reminded.
The PM assured vaccines to all eligible age groups, saying there was no alternative to it to fight the virus. The government has taken ahead the vaccination drive aggressively now, he reminded.
Minister of State for Health Umesh Shrestha said the mask and vaccination campaigns should be implemented at the ward level.
Adoption of public health safety measures is most important at a time when COV- ID-19 has severely dented various sectors, including economic sector of the country.
He also urged the people to use mask properly. The government is committed to providing vaccine to all Nepalis at the earliest, Shrestha vowed.
He said that the infection rate and admission rate to hospitals had increased with increased human mobility after restrictions were eased in the country. Shrestha add-
ed that all should abide by health protocols while going out of home and visit the inoculation centre for vaccines Likewise, Health Secretary Dr Roshan Pokhrel said that the campaign was initiated as many people were found using mask inappropriately.
"Use of mask not only helps an individual but also plays a vital role to safeguard the family and society from the deadly virus. So, we urge all Nepalis to use face mask properly," he added.
On the occasion, other health officials also urged one and all to use face masks while venturing out of homes. It was informed that 1.3 million senior citizens would be given AstraZeneca jabs from Monday.
A version of this article appears in the print on August 8 2021, of The Himalayan Times.
