Nepal Mask Campaign kicks off (with photos)

KATHMANDU, Aug 7: A week-long Nepal Mask Campaign kicked off on Saturday. 

The Ministry of Health and Population (MoHP) launched the campaign with a theme of ‘My commitment toward pandemic control and prevention, wearing a face mask is today’s necessity’. 

The campaign kicked off with a banner of Nepal Mask Campaign being unveiled at the newly reconstructed Dharahara tower. 

The campaign is aimed at promoting the habit of wearing masks at a time the country is likely to be ravaged by the third wave of coronavirus disease. 

See photos: 

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba said all sides' efforts and cooperation would help control the spread of coronavirus.

Giving a video message on the launch of 'Nepal Mask Campaign' by the Ministry of Health and Population on Saturday, PM Deuba reiterated that the government's lone efforts are not sufficient in foiling the spread of coronavirus. So, cooperation among all people and sectors is imperative, he underscored.

PM Deuba viewed the third wave of COVID-19 pandemic as imminent so additional caution was required. "I urge all people, political parties, NGOs and private sectors to strongly abide by the health safety measures and not to hold programmes with crowds," he said in the video message. He further appealed to all not to move out of home except for essential tasks and use masks properly.

Physical/social distance, hand wash with soap and adherence to other health safety measures are top priorities, he reminded.

The PM assured of vaccines to all eligible age groups, saying there was no alternative to it to face the pandemic. Government has continued the vaccination now, he reminded.

On the occasion, Minister of State for Health, Umesh Shretha, said the mask and vaccination campaigns should be implemented by spreading it to ward level. Implementation of public health safety is most important at a time when the COVID-19 has severely dented various sectors, including economic activities of the country.

He also urged for proper use of masks. Government is committed to providing vaccines to all Nepalis at the earliest, Shrestha vowed. 

He said that the infection rate and admission rate to the hospitals has increased with the increased human mobility along with relaxed provisions in prohibitory order. Shrestha added all should abide by the health protocols while going out of home and visiting the inoculation centre for getting vaccinated.

Likewise, Health Secretary Dr Roshan Pokhrel said that the campaign was initiated since the ways for using masks were inappropriate in many of the cases. “Use of a mask not only helps an individual but also plays a vital role to safeguard the family and society. So, we urge all Nepalis to mandatorily use the face mask properly,” he added.   

On the occasion, other health officials also urged one and all to use face masks while going out of home.    

It is informed that 1.3 million senior citizens would be given the AstraZeneca jab from Monday.