In view of the detection of a new variant of concern Omicron, Nepal Government has decided to tighten the entry of African nationals into the country and stop issuing them on-arrival visas until further notice.
Compulsory quarantine of 14 days has also been imposed on citizens of other countries entering Nepal through Africa. The House of Representatives on Sunday instructed the Immigration Department to immediately suspend on-arrival visas for citizens of African countries. The House has also directed the Department to make arrangements for quarantine in case of other citizens coming through Africa.
Government officials said that the directive was issued to avoid the risk of Omicron spreading in Nepal.
However, several countries including the UK, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Australia, and Hong Kong have reported their first cases of Omicron besides South Africa.
Meanwhile, the World Health Organization (WHO) has appealed to countries in South-East Asia Region to scale up surveillance, strengthen public health and social measures, and enhance vaccination coverage. This region comprises 11 countries, including Nepal.
In a press release issued by New Delhi-based WHO South- East Asia Regional Office, Regional Director at WHO South-East Asia Region Dr Poonam Khetrapal Singh said, “Though COVID-19 cases have been declining in most countries of our region, the surge in cases elsewhere in the world and confirmation of a new variant of concern, is a reminder of the persisting risk and the need for us to continue to do our best to protect against the virus and prevent its spread. At no cost should we let our guard down.”
According to WHO, the most important thing people must do is reduce their risk of exposure to the virus – wear a mask and wear it properly covering nose and mouth, keep distance, avoid poorly ventilated or crowded spaces, keep hands clean, cover cough and sneeze, and get vaccinated.
“As of today, 31 per cent of the region’s population is fully vaccinated, 21 per cent partially vaccinated while nearly 48 per cent or about a billion people are yet to receive even a single dose of the COVID-19 vaccine,” she said, adding that they continue to be at risk of contracting severe disease due to the virus.
Even after getting vaccinated, everyone must continue to take precautions to prevent being infected or infecting someone else who may get severely affected by the virus.
Nepal currently needs more than 50 million doses of anti-COVID vaccines for its estimated 31 million population. However, only 8,290,402 people have received both the doses of vaccines whereas 9,543,408 people have received their single dose so far.