December 2: The Ministry of Health and Population has appealed to one and all not to consider travelling abroad unless absolutely necessary.  According to the state-owned national news agency RSS, the ministry made such appeal in the wake of the spread of the 'Omicron' variant of COVID-19 in various countries. Urging all Nepalis to observe precaution against COVID-19, the ministry reportedly said that the 'Omicron' variant has not been detected in Nepal yet.    
The monitoring and testing of this new variant has been expanded, RSS reported citing Joint Spokesperson at the Ministry Dr Samir Adhikari.    
Issuing a press statement on Wednesday, Dr Adhikari said that the new variant is very contagious and it would infect people of any age group.    
The Omicron variant was first detected in African countries some days ago and has been expanding rapidly across South Africa and Asia lately. The WHO has declared the new variant as the 'universal variant of concern'.    
The Ministry has also urged one and all to get vaccinated against Coronavirus infection.