By A Staff Reporter
Kathmandu, Dec. 6: The Education and Health Committee under the House of Representatives (HoR) on Sunday directed the government to make necessary preparations against Omicron, the new variant of COVID-19.
A meeting of the parliamentary committee decided to direct Health Minister Birodh Khatiwada and the government to get ready for the fight against new variant of coronavirus to save lives of people. Minister Khatiwada himself was present at the meeting.

“Keep the oxygen plants and cylinders and ventilators ready as the risk of omicron is increasing,” read the decision of the committee.
It also asked the government to purchase new machines if needed and maintain the old ones if they are not in use.

After the meeting, Jayapuri Gharti, chairperson of the committee, said that they asked the government to maintain health protocols in the border areas and in cross-border transportation.

“The new variant has already been confirmed in India which has increased the risk here, so maintaining health protocols and staying alert is essential,” she said.

The committee also asked the government to check vaccine cards and PCR reports of the travelers at the border properly. According to her, the committee also directed the government to provide COVID-19 vaccines to the elderly citizens reaching their residences as soon as possible.

“The vaccine should be easily available to the citizens now, provided to the people from local bodies regularly,” read the statement.
The parliamentary committee also highlighted the need for generating public awareness about the virus variant to overcome their fear.