Govt to take effective measures against coronavirus

Narayan Dhungana

The government has decided to make effective awareness campaigns and health checkups against coronavirus (COVID-19) while supplying necessary items like medicines and surgical masks.

Today’s second meeting of the high-level coordination committee on the coronavirus prevention decided to take precautions measures against the infection by mobilising all mechanisms following the virus spread in neighbouring and other countries, said Deputy Prime Minister Ishwar Pokhrel, who is also the coordinator of the committee.

Health checkups of the people visiting Nepal has been intensified at Tribhuvan International Airport and the awareness campaigns launched, he said. Efforts made in the past against the virus were reviewed in the meeting, he said.

COVID-19 virus has already spread in 84 countries of the world including neighbouring countries. According to the World Health Organisation, out of 95,481 people infected with the corona, so far 3,285 lost their lives due to this.

A person arrived in Nepal from Wuhan of China on January 23 was tested positive corona. According to the Ministry of Health and Population, the person is now corona-free and no other case of infection was reported in Nepal so far.

The meeting also directed the Health Ministry to pay more attention on the activities related to corona. The government has already asked not to organise gatherings like festivals, fairs. Discussion was also held regarding making health tests more effective giving special attention in school.

DPM Pokharel shared that the government was serious on the issue of producing surgical masks immediately at the coordination of Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry to address the possible crisis of masks in the market.

Committee Coordinator Pokharel added, "The state will not allow shortage of any goods. It has adopted alertness on it."