Kathmandu, Dec. 22: Minister for Health and Population Birodh Khatiwada has said the government is working actively to control the coronavirus.

During at a press briefing organized at Health Ministry on Wednesday, Minister Khatiwada said government was engrossed on controlling coronavirus and ensuring citizen's access to quality health service.

He however said, "The initiative only from single side does not suffice the control and prevention measures against COVID-19. So, all sides' efforts and cooperation are expected to avoid further crisis." According to Minister Khatiwada, active participation of people on the anti-COVID drive with strict adherence to public health standard and vaccination would help a lot to control the spread of coronavirus.

The general public are being administrated vaccinations free of cost in a convenient manner, he said, adding that Covishield and Vero Cell are for those above 18 years and Pfizer and Moderna for those belonging to 12 to 17 years.

He requested the students to get the anti-COVID vaccines in their respected schools or the one nearby.

Since December 2, the government has banned the entry of the people from nine countries including South Africa to Nepal via air route in a bid to contain the spread of coronavirus. Similarly, all those using the international check points and air flights are asked to produce PCR test reports.

The Minister shared the information that 21988,516 Nepalis had got anti-COVID vaccines. Among them, 9737,333 have got two doses of vaccines.