Nepal's Sudurpaschim province bordering India has launched preventive measures against the possible spread of the 'Omicron' variant of Covid-19.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has warned that the new variant poses a very high risk globally, declaring it as the ' variant of concern'.
Sudurpaschim Health Directorate said surveillance has been enhanced along India-Nepal border points in the province taking into consideration the high risk posed by COVID-19 latest strain classified as B.1.1.529.
“The risk from the new variant prevails high in the province as it shares the border with India,” the Directorate said.
If the new variant is spread in neighbouring India, Suduraschim will have high risk, it said, adding health desks have been set up along the border points.
Gaddachauki, Srinagar, Jhulaghat, and Pulghat remain as the major points along the India-Nepal border in the province and people's movement via these points is relatively higher than other entry points.