Tag: COVID-19 threat

We all are aware about coronavirus or COVID – 19 outbreaks in different parts of the world. It has created a state of emergency across the globe. The effects of the current outbreak have significantly impacted tourism raising a great concern among the travel community. We understand you are also worried! So, in this regard, we want to update the status of Coronavirus Threat in Nepal to all our partners and travellers so that you will be aware about the real situation and plan accordingly.

Currently, Health Emergency and Disaster Management Unit – Ministry of Health, Department of Immigration, Tribhuwan International Airport Civil Aviation Office and Local Government bodies are working jointly to control the potential spread of the virus. Please go through the following update in which we have complied concerned facts and information related to coronavirus threat in Nepal. We hope our information will help you in considering and making your travel plans to Nepal. We will keep you updating about the latest news and information regularly.

1. Till date, only one case of corona positive has been confirmed in Nepal (on 23 January). The infected person who is a Nepali national and has returned from Wuhan, China remained under the care of Sukraraj Tropical and Infectious Disease Hospital till full recovery. After making a full recuperation, he has been discharged. Now, he is back to normal life under regular monitoring. (Source: Ministry of Health, Government of Nepal)
2. As of 3^rd March, a total of 433 samples have been tested out of which 432 have tested negative. No other new suspected case has been reported till date. (Source: Ministry of Health, Government of Nepal)
3. All 175 Nepali university students who were repatriated from Wuhan, China, on 16^th February and quarantined at Kharipati, Bhaktapur for two weeks have tested negative. They were allowed to return home after the second time test also came negative. The evacuees had undergone the first test within 24 hour of their arrival but their test results were found to be negative. The government had decided to go for second test on 29^th February to ascertain the result. Not only the students, all 18 crew members involved in bringing the students and 7 health and hygiene staffs mobilized at the quarantine site have tested negative. (Source: Ministry of Health, Government of Nepal)
4. Nepal Government has taken into account the recommendations and measures of WHO and has suspended visa-on-arrival (till further notice) for the nationals of People’s Republic of China (including Special Administrative Regions), Islamic Republic of Iran, Italy, Republic of Korea and Japan. These nationals can obtain visa beforehand from the Nepali Missions abroad after submitting a recently issued health certificate stating that they are not infected by COVID-19. (Source: Department of Immigration, Government of Nepal)
5. Nepali nationals directly coming from countries affected by and in the high risk of COVID-19 and from third countries transmitting via those countries will have to undergo mandatory home quarantine for 14 days. (Source: Ministry of Health, Government of Nepal)
6. Tribhuwan International Airport, country’s only entry point by air, has adopted the preventive safety measures by screening passengers using thermal scanner, thermal gun and spraying sanitizer over the travellers for disinfection. Precautionary information is also displayed in Nepali, English and Chinese language at major points. (Source: Tribhuwan International Airport Civil Aviation Office)
7. Health desk with international standard is operational at Tribhuwan International Airport. Passengers with temperature measured >100.4 °F are being sent to Sukraraj Tropical and Infectious Disease Hospital for further investigation and treatment; People reporting fever, cough or shortness of breath at TIA Health Desk or Teku Hospital are further investigated, treated, counseled and monitored on a regular basis. (Source: Ministry of Health, Government of Nepal)
8. Health desks with international standard are also operational at the main land borders crossing with China and India. Visas to the nationals of third countries entering through India via land routes shall be issued visa after their health check-up ensuring that they will enter only through the designated points. (Source: Ministry of Health, Government of Nepal)
9. Hospitals have prepared the Hospital Disaster Preparedness and Response Plan and isolation facilities as per the protocol prepared by the Ministry of Health and Population. (Source: Ministry of Health, Government of Nepal)
10. International meetings and conferences to be held in Nepal in the near future have been postponed. (Source: Ministry of Health, Government of Nepal)
11. Private and non-governmental sectors are requested to postpone their international programs scheduled to be held in Nepal. (Source: Ministry of Health, Government of Nepal)