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At 13, Sanumaiya Chhetri left her village in Kavre and arrived in Kathmandu in search of work to support her parents. But just six months after coming to the capital city, she had to return home following the death of her father. She had to stay behind to look after her mother; her plan to work her way out of poverty was postponed. Eighteen months after her father’s passing, Sanumaya lost her mother. Orphaned at a young age, Sanumaiya spent some time in the village, until she finally decided to go to Kathmandu once again. 

She started working odd jobs here and there in order to survive. Some years later, Sanumaya would marry Krishna Chhetri, whom she met while working as a wage laborer. The couple had three children, but their marriage was far from ideal. Krishna was an alcoholic and it was up to Sanumaya to raise the children. 

Sanumaya says her husband disappeared some 40 years ago, and that she can barely remember his face. She is 74 now and all her children are adults now. Sanumaya, who lost her parents at a young age, doesn’t have citizenship, neither does her three children, whose father disappeared four decades ago.

“The lack of citizenship documents troubles me every day,” Sanumaya, whose concern is that her children may not be able to find decent jobs and open bank accounts. 

Three years ago, Sanumaiya petitioned the Supreme Court after the District Administration Office (DAO), Kathmandu, claimed that the family can’t be granted citizenship as her husband’s identity couldn’t be ascertained. On 8 Jan 2023, a joint bench of Justice Til Prasad Shrestha and Justice Anil Kumar Sinha ordered the DAO to issue citizenship certificates by descent to Sanumaya and her children in accordance with the law. But the DAO didn’t issue Sanumaya a citizenship document, as she couldn’t provide proof of her parents’ nationality. 

Chief District Officer Jitendra Basnet says that despite the passage of the Citizenship Act, challenges persist due to the absence of rules and procedures. “The basis and procedure for granting citizenship haven’t  been decided yet. So the court’s order remains unimplemented.” 

Madhab Prasad Dhungana, head of the citizenship department, argues that a citizenship can’t be granted based on emotions. 

“In Sanumaiya’s case, the court ordered the chief district officer to look into the issue and grant citizenship. However, there’s a lack of documents to support this decision,” he says. “She doesn’t have any neighbors or relatives to vouch for her, the only testimony is from the ward office, stating she’s been living in Kathmandu-4, Chandol for 40 years.”

Without citizenship, Sanumaya cannot get senior citizen’s allowance and other state facilities. Her children have long since moved on, and she lives alone in a rented room. She says she is too old to frequent courts and government offices. 

Reluctant DAO

Unlike Sanumaya, Neha and Nistha Thapa have not given up. The two sisters have been visiting the DAO, Kathmandu, to obtain citizenship documents under the name of their mother. The Supreme Court has instructed the DAO to provide citizenship to the sisters, as the whereabouts of their father are unknown. Neha and Nistha don’t even know any close relatives from their father’s side.

“Despite the court’s express instruction, the district administration office is refusing to issue us the citizenship documents under our mother’s name. The office wants us to present our missing father just because his name was mentioned on our academic certificates and other documents,” says Neha.  

Without citizenship papers, Neha says she and her sister cannot find a proper job. The other Nistha wants to go abroad for further studies, but she cannot do so until and unless she has a proper citizenship. 

“Is it our crime that we  know the name of our father who disappeared after giving birth to us? Why cannot our mother, who raised and educated us, pass on her citizenship to us?” laments Neha.

Advocate Binu Lama, who is overseeing the case of the two sisters, insists that the DAO cannot deny citizenship to her clients because they mentioned the name of their missing father on their academic certificates and other documents. 

“The district administration office should honor the court’s decision. They cannot be asking my clients for the details of their father’s citizenship details just because they happen to know his name.”  

The predicament of Neha and Nistha mirrors that of Sajan and Simran Manandhar from Lalitpur. The DAO, Lalitpur, has denied them citizenship by descent under their mother’s name, because their academic and birth registration certificates bore the name of their father.

Sajan and Simran also fought the case and got an order from the Patan High Court, issued in the name of DAO, Lalitpur, to issue citizenship documents based on their mother’s name. But the siblings were rebuffed by the employees at the DAO, Lalitpur. 

“We were told that it was impossible to issue citizenship based on a court verdict. The people at the district administration office told us to get our citizenship from the people who pronounced the verdict,” says Sajan.

Patriarchy persists 

Despite the passage of the Nepal Citizenship (First Amendment) Act, which resolves numerous past citizenship issues, it remains inadequate in addressing the challenges faced by thousands of people, including Sanumaiya, Neha, Nistha, Sajan and Simran.

Advocate Lama says while this Act has provided relief for those denied citizenship by birth, it falls short in alleviating the struggles of mothers like Sanumaiya and her children. 

“Despite the positive role of the court, discrimination persists within the administration,” she says.

Advocate Meera Dhungana says that despite the court rulings favoring the plaintiffs in numerous cases, chief district officers are reluctant to follow the orders.

She adds that the court orders face implementation challenges due to the resistance of chief district officers and other employees who refuse to acknowledge the existence and role of women in Nepali society. 

“Patriarchy is at play here. A woman’s role as a parent is not being recognized. Why can’t a mother who can give birth and raise a child give the child a legal identity?”

Lama adds there is no law prohibiting citizenship issuance under the mother’s name when the father is unidentified.

 “There is no law preventing children of mothers with citizenship by descent from obtaining citizenship,” she says. 

According to her, the inclusion of certain points in the existing Citizenship Act, along with a clarified procedure, could resolve the issues like that of Sanumaiya’s. However, there is a lack of consensus among political parties to amend the law. Sub-section 5 of Section 2 of the Act stipulates: “A person born in Nepal to a Nepali citizen mother and living in Nepal, and whose father has not been identified, will acquire Nepalese citizenship on the basis of descent.” Chief district officers have no clarity on the term ‘not identified’.

Advocate Dhungana points out that numerous children who only have knowledge of their father’s name struggle to obtain citizenship. 

“It is unfortunate that even with a mother possessing citizenship by descent, children whose father’s name is documented in other papers are compelled to remain ‘non-citizens’,” she says. 

Landmark verdict 

The Supreme Court recently made a significant decision addressing the matter of unacknowledged paternity. On Aug 17, the court ruled on a writ filed by Christina Maharjan from Lalitpur Mahalakshmi Municipality-6, elucidating the issue of unidentified fathers. 

Christina filed a petition in the apex court, requesting birth registration and citizenship recommendations exclusively under her mother’s name. Despite having a copy of her father’s citizenship, Christina refused to accept citizenship under his name, citing his abandonment of parental responsibilities. Consequently, she applied for citizenship using her mother’s maiden surname.

In this instance, on Aug 17, the bench comprising a joint bench of Justice Anil Kumar Sinha and Justice Nahkul Subedi emphasized that a child’s father’s identity is connected to factors such as his physical presence, the affection and care provided, and the responsibilities undertaken for the children by the person regarded as the biological father. 

The judgment further stated that if there is no physical and emotional connection between the child and the alleged father in their life, the father should be deemed non-identified. The Supreme Court emphasized that even if the child lacks a physical or emotional relationship with the person identified by the mother as the biological father, they are not obligated to accept him as the father. 

The court asserted that such acceptance should not be forced. The verdict also provided clarification on how to determine whether the father has been identified or not.

The verdict states that officials issuing citizenship should determine whether the father is ‘identified’ or ‘not identified’ based on the applicants’ self declaration. It also states that if the biological father or his family members don’t accept them as their children, officials issuing citizenship should deem the applicants as being children of ‘not identified’ fathers. In such cases, where an individual seeks citizenship solely under the name of their mother, citing the non-identification of the father, it is the responsibility of the relevant office to facilitate the grant of citizenship, the verdict states.

Even with this judgment, the challenges faced by Sanumaiya and her children, as well as Neha, Nistha, Sajan and Simran remain unaddressed. 

Advocate Sushma Gautam, with extensive experience in citizenship matters, accuses the district administration offices of committing a crime by disregarding court decisions. 

“Even the Citizenship Act has failed to resolve the issues faced by individuals like Sanumaiyan or Neha. This Act is discriminatory and incomplete,” she says.

As per Clause 2 of Article 11 in Part 2 of the Constitution of Nepal, if an individual’s father or mother is a citizen of Nepal at the time of their birth, that person should be recognized as a citizen of Nepal. However, the absence of laws, regulations, and procedures to enforce this constitutional provision has compelled many Nepali citizens to be categorized as non-citizens. 

Rabindra Prasad Acharya, spokesperson for the Ministry of Home Affairs, asserts that adherence to the written law is imperative. 

“We must strictly adhere to the constitution through legislation. If the law is perceived as discriminatory, it is the responsibility of the lawmakers. We cannot surpass the boundaries set by the law.”

Advocate Gautam highlights that in the constitution and the new law, there is no provision for children to acquire citizenship if the father’s name is known but the address is unknown. However, if both the father’s name and address are unknown, the child can obtain citizenship through the mother’s name. 

“Thousands of people across the country have documents with their father’s name on them, but their address is unknown and they have to remain without citizenship,” she says.

Insulting provisions

In sub-section 3 of section 21 of the Citizenship Act, a provision has been introduced requiring any woman to self-declare the status of her husband as missing, unidentified, or absent. If this self-declaration is determined to be false, the individual making the false statement may face penalties, including imprisonment for six months to a year or a fine ranging from Rs 50,000 to Rs 100,000,  or both. 

Sabin Shrestha, director and advocate at the Women’s Law and Development Forum, argues that the provision requiring self-declaration about a missing husband constitutes discrimination against women.

“The state has adopted differentiated treatment towards women by incorporating such a provision into the law. Nurturing children without a husband is inherently challenging. Therefore, seeking the husband’s identity while determining the citizenship of children raised amid hardship is inappropriate.” says Shrestha. “If the mother holds citizenship, her children should receive citizenship unconditionally. The law reinforces the outdated notion that only men carry forward the lineage.” 

Former judge Balaram KC questions: “Why is the system of self-declaration and punishment only applicable to women? Is there a provision for a man to declare himself regarding his wife?” 

He emphasizes that the law should not discriminate between men and women.

Bhadrakali Pokharel, spokesperson for the Supreme Court, says that disputes of this nature can be resolved by adhering to the precedents established by the court. 

“Even though thousands of cases related to citizenship of various natures are registered across the country, we do not have separate data for cases like Sanumaiyan’s.” 

Hari Prasad Sharma, assistant chief district officer Kathmandu, reveals that numerous individuals with such issues visit the administration office daily, hopeful of obtaining citizenship. 

“It is challenging to provide an exact number, but this problem is widespread, and it needs to be addressed through legal means.”

Hollow nationalism

Shashi Shrestha, chairman of the State Affairs Committee in the former House of Representatives, contends that the constitution itself carries discriminatory elements. She attributes the creation of discriminatory constitutions and laws to the mindset of many representatives who do not view women as human beings. 

Shrestha asserts that she advocated for equality, considering provisions in the constitution exclusively for women as discriminatory. 

“When we proposed equal arrangements, there was disagreement. It wasn't possible due to concerns about ‘hollow nationalism’.”

Former Supreme Court justice Balaram KC asserts that this issue emerges when lawmakers neglect their responsibilities. 

“Mothers who are aware of their husband’s name are also compelled to lie, claiming ignorance, fearing that their children will be denied citizenship.” KC says. “The government's hollow nationalism has led to such flaws in the law. The practice of seeking the father’s identity while the mother is present is incorrect.”

Constitutionalist Bipin Adhikari advocates for the establishment of a procedure within the current legal framework to address the existing challenges in obtaining citizenship. 

“Our law has its roots in Hinduism, and this continuity is reflected in the present legal system. It is inherently discriminatory,” he points out.

In collaboration with the Center for Investigative Journalism, Nepal

Did you know that in Newari culture, there’s a special day dedicated to enjoying citrus fruits? Kartik Shukla Navami, the ninth day of the bright Kartik month, is considered auspicious and is known as ‘akshay’ or ‘kushmand navami’. In Kathmandu, the Newars celebrate this day, called ‘jwa’ or ‘juga naami’, by indulging in various citrus fruits and dishes made from them.

Each food or fruit has deep roots in Nepali culture. Our ancestors, for sustainability, invented various methods, and one such method is making ‘chuk amilo’, allowing us to enjoy a tangy or acidic flavor all year round.

Food preservation has been an integral part of human civilization for thousands of years, playing a crucial role in ensuring food availability during scarcity and preserving culinary traditions for future generations. In the picturesque hilly mountain regions of Nepal, chuk amilo, a molasse-like extract derived from the nibuwa fruit, has been cherished for generations, preserving not only the essence of the fruit but also the rich heritage of Nepalis culture.

The concept of food preservation has been a constant companion to human beings in their quest for survival. From early civilizations to modern times, people have developed various techniques to store and extend the shelf life of perishable foods, ensuring sustenance during challenging times and allowing communities to relish the tastes and traditions of their ancestors.

Food preservation techniques vary across regions and cultures, with each method making a unique contribution to the culinary world. Some common methods include drying, salting, smoking, canning, pickling, fermenting, and the use of preservatives, chosen based on available resources, local ingredients, and culinary traditions.

Chuk amilo stands as a shining example of food preservation in Nepal. The nibuwa fruit, also known as Nepali lemon, thrives in the fertile soils of Nepal’s mountains, particularly between October and April. To create chuk amilo, the juice is extracted and cooked slowly, resulting in a dark, aromatic, and pungent substance that captures the essence of the nibuwa fruit.

The Nibuwa fruit is remarkable not only for its impressive size but also for its distinctive sour flavor, making it an essential part of Nepali kitchen cabinets. The scarcity of ghee, chuk amilo, and khudo in a household’s kitchen can impact the ability to prepare traditional Nepali dishes.

Food holds a special place in many cultures and running low on essential ingredients can impact overall well-being. The preservation of chuk amilo carries the magic of tradition and cultural significance. Beyond its delightful taste, chuk amilo offers a range of medicinal properties, aiding digestion, reducing swelling, and alleviating pain associated with urinary problems, kidney stones, and toothaches. Traditional remedies passed down through generations attest to its healing qualities.

In Nepali culture, chuk amilo is celebrated not only for its medicinal properties but also for its nostalgic value. It is often associated with cherished memories of mothers and grandmothers skillfully using this culinary treasure in their recipes, symbolizing the warmth of family kitchens and the love poured into every dish. Chuk amilo is known to alleviate pain from fractured bones and even soothe the effects of a night of indulgence, making it a versatile and beloved ingredient.

Chuk amilo is more than just an ingredient, it embodies the essence of Nepali culture and traditions. Passed down through generations, its unique preparation and preservation methods have become an integral part of Nepali culinary heritage. The slow cooking process and the use of high-quality lemons continue to uphold this valuable tradition, allowing it to be enjoyed throughout the year.

Food preservation, in general, is a way of preserving culinary traditions and flavors, ensuring they are passed down from one generation to the next. It honors the knowledge and skills of ancestors and maintains a connection to cultural roots. 

As we savor the tangy flavor and bask in the healing properties of chuk amilo, it connects us with nature's abundance and the remarkable wisdom of our ancestors. Its versatility in enhancing flavors and providing medicinal benefits makes it an indispensable part of Nepali cuisine. Chuk amilo is a testament to the rich biodiversity of Nepal’s hilly mountain regions and the sustainable practices passed down through generations.

Chuk amilo is not just a culinary delight; it is a treasure that binds us to our roots, memories, and the legacy of a proud nation. Every drop of this precious molasse carries the essence of Nepal’s hilly mountain regions and the love of those who have preserved its traditions. As we experience the magic of chuk amilo in our Nepali pickles (achar) or find relief from an ailment, let it be a reminder of the rich heritage we carry and the love of our mothers who made our kitchens come alive with this special ingredient.

The author is a UK-based R&D chef

The ongoing political debate in Nepal, centered around a choice between a republic and a monarchy, has escalated over time. While discussions are confined to the political sphere, such debates have gained momentum as Nepal’s democracy fails to deliver meaningful economic results. Nepal’s economic performance is bleak, and a deep sense of injustice and powerlessness has prevailed among its citizens. When distrust erodes people’s faith in democratic institutions, demagogues are likely to surf on the wave of political and economic populism. Compounding these factors, the government’s procrastination in taking concrete steps to find long-term solutions to fix the underlying causes has only exacerbated the crisis.

The challenges enumerated above are consequences of a more profound force that has led to a presently dysfunctional system - a manifestation of the country’s pseudo-democracy. In Nepal, the conceptualization of democracy seems confined predominantly to its intrinsic value. However, the other instrumental facet of democracy, which serves as an effective means of socio-economic and political transformation, is inadequately realized. Consequently, a nuanced and timely discourse on this matter becomes imperative, as it can only positively impact people’s lives and eventually disperse crowds of illusions.

Short-termism of the financial sector

The pervasive short-termism in Nepal’s financial sector has diverted more finance into unproductive assets such as real estate and the stock market. An increasing emphasis on quarterly returns has crowded out long-term capital investment, and economic research and development. This narrow-minded approach not only impedes innovation, productivity, competitiveness, and job creation but also exacerbates the brain drain of youth, pushing them to seek opportunities abroad.

Who, then, is responsible for the wrongdoing? The nasty form of corporate governance has continuously tempered the economy, forgoing shadow alliances with corrupt politicians and bureaucrats who, in turn, share in illicit revenue. Such extractive institutional nexus has ruptured the interlinkage between the productive sector, job creation, and overall economic progress. The resultant frustration and anxiety among the general public are tangible, contributing to the prevailing discontent and fueling political and economic unrest in the nation. To foster genuine and sustainable growth, a shift toward responsible corporate governance and a recalibration of private sector priorities is imperative.

Slow or absent government

So far, the government’s action has been ‘too little, too late’, reflecting a reactive approach to addressing economic problems, often with detrimental consequences. Nepal’s economic problems are structural and, thus, need structural overhaul rather than short-term ‘jugaad’. For instance, the government needs to be reflective of the private sector's disinterest in long-term capital investment and its preference for trading rather than bolstering its manufacturing and service base. Why do investors continuously yell that the current economic structure demoralizes long-term capital investment and lament the government’s commitment to fixing it? The role of government transcends beyond merely revenue collection, market regulation, and correcting market failures. It must demonstrate a significant investment pledge in research and development and foster an environment where the private sector can operate with confidence and a sense of long-term commitment. This calls for a paradigm shift in how economic organizations are governed, how their relationships are structured, and how economic actors interconnect.

Low level of premature deindustrialization

With globalization, developing countries, including Nepal, witnessed a rapid shift from agriculture to the service sector, bypassing industry-led economic growth much earlier than the historical average. In his 2016 study, economist Dani Rodrik argued that premature deindustrialization could negatively impact economic growth through job loss and lower comparative advantage due to poor technology. An analysis of Nepal’s economic data (1975-2016) indicates that the manufacturing sector has shrunk, and there is a need to increase the share of manufacturing in national output and create jobs. Unemployment and economic frustration could trigger political instability and illiberal politics. Most importantly, only manufacturing can fill the vacuum of Nepal’s market gap of labor demand vs skill mismatch. It is especially true for the semi-skilled and unskilled labor force who outgrew agriculture but are ill-equipped for high-tech jobs. Reindustrialization is not an unavoidable fate and is essential for a change in the present economic structure to increase employment and bolster the production base. The question is how to design tools that help achieve this directionality with a purpose.

Democracy must deliver

The public’s desire for change resonates with their expectations for increased job opportunities, enhanced livelihood, and better public services. This collective aspiration has historically fueled the political call for democracy in Nepal. Over time, if democracy fails to deliver tangible economic progress, questions naturally arise on its appropriateness, leading people to explore alternative paths. While the intrinsic values inherent in democracy are significant, they alone are insufficient for sustenance. A democratic system must also demonstrate economic efficacy, delivering concrete economic results to win over citizens for more extensive support and credibility.

This means rethinking corporate governance where both government and the private sector adopt a mission-oriented approach for overcoming structural economic challenges. Only the government, with its unparalleled authority, holds the key to steering transformative change on a scale that can redefine the dynamics of economic progress and societal interaction. But, at present, the government itself requires reawakening. The current status quo is failing too many people; therefore, a delivery-centered democratic reorientation is only a long-term solution to public dissent.

The author is a public policy candidate at Willy Brandt School in Germany. He has served as a research officer at the Office of the Investment Board Nepal. He can be reached for comments at [email protected]

India saw a single day rise of 656 new cases of coronavirus on Dec 24, pushing the active cases to 3,742 according to the Union Health Ministry. Amid the surge in cases of Covid-19, health experts have asked people to remain calm and follow Covid-appropriate behavior.

In Nepal, health experts have suggested people not to worry about the latest surge of coronavirus infection in India. They say that the mutations of the virus are always evolving, and this is one of the mutations of the omicron variant. 

“Though this strain is circulating faster, it is not very serious. It is not that scary. If you are vaccinated once or twice, or were previously infected there won’t be much severity if you get infected,” said Sameer Mani Acharya Dixit, chairperson and head of research at Intrepid Nepal Pvt Ltd.

The symptoms of the infection are similar to the infection caused by similar other variants of the coronavirus, such as headache, sore throat, fever, etc. Health experts, however, have advised people to take booster shots to prevent oneself from the severity of the infection.

What is JN.1?

JN.1 is a closely-related descendant of BA.2.86, a highly mutated strain that first worried scientists over the summer. BA.2.86 was deemed a “variant of interest” by the World Health Organization back in August.

The UN health body has recently designated JN.1 as a variant of interest, differentiating it from its parent lineage BA.2.86. The WHO defines variants of interest as strains that are worrying enough to trigger stepped up investigations of the variant by countries, like laboratory studies and field investigations of its outbreaks.

Despite its swift dissemination, the WHO has underscored that the overall risk associated with JN.1 is currently considered low based on available evidence.

In recent weeks, JN.1 was reported in multiple countries, and its prevalence has been rapidly increasing globally. But the WHO has maintained that there is no evidence to suggest any additional public health risk posed by the variant.

Concerns triggered

After first being spotted in the United States in September, the variant has spread across 41 countries.

Health experts say the JN.1 is spreading fast in all regions, probably because it has an additional mutation in the spike protein compared to the BA.2.86 variant from which it’s descended.

The outbreak of the JN.1 sub-variant of the coronavirus in India has triggered concerns among the Nepalis. Indian states Kerala, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Goa, Puducherry, Gujarat, Telangana, Punjab and Delhi have reported a slight increase in the number of cases of late. 

According to the Indian media reports nearly 93 percent of those infected have mild symptoms and are isolating at home. Among those who are undergoing treatment at hospitals across the country, only 0.1 percent are on ventilator support, 1.2 percent are admitted into the intensive care unit and 0.6 are on oxygen support.

No need to panic

Nepal currently hasn’t seen a rise in the number of coronavirus cases. The authorities however say that they are closely monitoring the development in India.

“Many people in Nepal have had the infection and people have received at least two doses of the vaccine. Therefore, the probability of severe infection is low,” said Dr Prakash Budhathoki, spokesperson at the Ministry of Health and Population. “Intensive care units, oxygen plants, and other physical infrastructure constructed during the Covid-19 pandemic can be utilized if needed.” 

Following the surge in coronavirus cases, health desks established at checkpoints and international airports have been placed on standby, and a request has been made to place patients with respiratory problems under special supervision.

“As the infection is seen in Kerala, we are relatively at lower risks. If the infection was seen in the southern areas of India that borders Nepal, it would have been quite risky, as there are high chances for the variant to enter the country in a shorter time span,” said Dr Budhathoki. 

He also informed that patients with long-standing respiratory problems have been recommended for gene sequencing. The ministry has also requested health centers to keep a check on the people visiting the hospitals with the symptoms of coronavirus and has asked them to submit a report to the ministry.

“It is anticipated that this variant may cause an increase in Sars-Cov-2 [coronavirus] cases amid a surge of infections of other viral and bacterial infections, especially in countries entering the winter season,” the WHO said in its risk assessment.

The UN health agency also noted that there is still limited evidence on how capable JN.1 is of getting round the immunity offered by vaccines.

Strengthen surveillance

The WHO has urged countries in the South-East Asia region to strengthen surveillance and for people to take protective measures in view of increasing numbers of cases of respiratory diseases, including due to coronavirus and its new sub-variant JN.1, and influenza. 

“The Covid-19 virus continues to evolve, change and circulate in all countries globally. While current evidence suggests the additional public health risk posed by JN.1 is low, we must continue to track the evolution of these viruses to tailor our response. For this, countries must strengthen surveillance and sequencing, and ensure sharing of data,” said Dr Poonam Khetrapal Singh, WHO regional director for South-East Asia. 

Considering the available, yet limited evidence, the additional public health risk posed by JN.1 is currently evaluated as low at the global level. It is anticipated that this variant may cause an increase in Covid-19 cases amid a surge in infections of other viral and bacterial infections, especially in countries entering the winter season.

 Ways to protect

 Health experts have advised people to take protective measures and seek timely clinical care when unwell. They have also urged people with high risk such as elderly citizens, people with comorbid health conditions to take vaccination against coronavirus and influenza.

“All WHO-approved Covid-19 vaccines continue to protect against severe disease and death from all variants, including JN.1,” said Dr Singh. “With Covid-19 continuing to circulate at high levels globally, countries must strengthen surveillance, sequencing and reporting to effectively manage respiratory diseases and to protect people’s health.”

To prevent infections and severe disease, the WHO advises to:

• Wear a mask in crowded, enclosed areas
• Cover up coughs and sneezes
• Clean your hands regularly
• Stay up to date with covid and flu vaccinations, especially if vulnerable
• Stay home if ill
• Get tested if you have symptoms