KATHMANDU, Dec 29: The traffic police have started the 'Where’s your mask?' campaign again. These days, traffic policemen are seen wearing facemasks and carrying placards with the question “Where is your mask?” written on them in different places of the Kathmandu Valley .

Senior Superintendent of Police Rajendra Prasad Bhatt, spokesperson for the Kathmandu Valley Traffic Police Division, said that keeping in mind the possible risk of COVID-19, placards and awareness work are being conducted to alert the citizens again.

"Many people have stopped wearing masks now. We are also at the risk of Covid-19 seen in our neighboring countries,” he said, “So, we are working to use placards to make the people aware that they should not forget to wear masks.”

On Tuesday, in the meeting of the District Disaster Management Committee (DDMC) of Kathmandu District Office, there was a discussion about informing the people walking in public places and vehicles and spreading public awareness. He said that the traffic police are giving a message to use masks after the same discussion.

Devi Pandey Khatri, information officer of the District Administration Office, Kathmandu, said that even though there have been no cases of infection by the new variant, it has been requested to increase the use of masks and to increase awareness for the prevention of the disease. "The Ministry of Home Affairs had also published a notice, after that, at the meeting of DDMC, we decided to increase the compliance of health standards after discussions with the head of the district coordination committee, the coordination officer, the chief district officer and the head of the health office," he said.

Dr Sanjay Kumar Thakur, the spokesperson for the Ministry of Health and Population, said that although the new variant of Covid-19, BF.7 (BF-7), which has spread in neighboring countries China and India, has not yet been confirmed in Nepal, the risk is high.

"This variant, which can spread the infection to many people in a short period of time, remains at risk of entering Nepal due to our open borders and movement," he said. According to him, the ministry has been requesting the cooperation of all three levels of government for identification, prevention and control and treatment management. "Currently, we are checking the temperature of those entering Nepal from the border crossings and the international airport and conducting antigen tests of those suspected to be carrying the virus," he said.

Runny nose, sneezing, fever, cough, sore throat, headache, breathing problems and loss of taste and smell are the main symptoms of COVID-19. But in some cases, the difference between common cold, flu and COVID-19 cannot be distinguished based on the symptoms, says Dr Thakur.

It is difficult to differentiate between the symptoms of COVID-19, cold or flu. "The best way to know if you have COVID-19 is to get tested by a health professional," he said.

Doctors have suggested not to form crowds, maintain physical distance, use facemasks, wash hands with soap and water, cover the mouth with elbow while coughing and use sanitizer. Since both doses of the vaccine against COVID-19 have been used, he suggests taking an additional dose or booster vaccine.

According to statistics, so far 22,324,933 people have received the full dose of vaccines in the country. In addition, only 7,972,791 people have received the additional amount of vaccine. According to Spokesman Dr Thakur, the ministry has been making continuous efforts for access to vaccines for all, integrated and strong disease surveillance and epidemic response. 

 
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