Kathmandu, December 25

In view of the increasing COVID-19 cases in neighbouring India and China, the Ministry of Health and Population has urged all Nepali people to receive a booster shot of COVID-19 vaccine.

"The new variant, BF.7 has been detected in India and China, and its transmission to Nepal may take place due to open border with the countries," said the ministry's Spokesperson Dr Sanjaya Kumar Thakur. "So, precaution should be adopted," he added.

The variant has not been detected in Nepal so far. "Those who have taken the first and second dose of the vaccines should compulsorily get a booster shot," he said.

The government is working to bring booster doses. According to him, 1.5 million booster doses will be brought soon. Out of a total of 9.2 million doses of vaccine to be supplied to Nepal under the COVAX facility, 3.7 million doses have reached the country so far, it is said.

Similarly, the ministry has urged people to follow health protocols, and use facemasks and sanitisers, wash hands with soap, and maintain physical distance.

Meanwhile, the ministry has urged people to be safe from the risk of cold wave and snow. The ministry's Assistant Spokesperson Dr Samir Kumar Adhikari urged people to keep themselves safe in view of the cold wave and snowfall witnessed in several parts of the country for the past few days.

The ministry has urged people to wear warm clothes covering the whole body, keep rooms warm and manage proper ventilation and air flow in the room. It said especially children, senior citizens, pregnant women and people with chronic disease should be protected from cold.

Likewise, the ministry urged lactating mothers to breastfeed infants, and feed them with warm and nutritious liquid. It also urged people to quit smoking and alcohol.