The World Health Organisation (WHO) on Saturday asked countries in the Southeast Asia region to scale up surveillance, strengthen public health and social measures, and enhance vaccination coverage to contain a new variant of Covid-19, called Omicron. The global health body said festivities and celebrations must include all precautionary measures and crowds and large gatherings must be avoided.Dr Poonam Khetrapal Singh, Regional Director, WHO, South-East Asia Region said at no cost countries should let their guards down.  In a statement she said though COVID-19 cases have been declining in most countries in the Southeast Asia region, the surge in cases elsewhere in the world and confirmation of a new Variant of Concern, is a reminder of the persisting risk and the need to put the best to protect against the virus and prevent its spread. Countries must enhance surveillance and sequencing, she said. Dr Singh said, comprehensive and tailored public health and social measures to prevent transmission must continue. The Regional Director said, the more COVID-19 circulates, the more opportunities the virus will have to change and mutate, and the pandemic will last longer.  Dr Singh advised,the  most important thing people must do is reduce their risk of exposure to the virus – wear a mask covering nose and mouth; keep safe distance; avoid poorly ventilated or crowded spaces; keep hands clean; cover cough and sneeze; and get vaccinated, <br />''