Govt of Nepal suspends visa-on arrivals for nationals of all countries

#Coronavirus, #Nepal, #COVID19Pandemic; #WHO

Kathmandu, Mar 13 (Canadian-Media): A number of decisive measures were taken by the government of Nepal Thursday, to prevent the spread of the coronavirus, a day after the World Health Organization on Wednesday declared COVID-19 pandemic,  including suspension of all on-arrival visa until April end, and banning all the spring mountaineering expeditions including that of Mount Qomolangma (also known as Mount Everest), media reports said.

This decision was taken Thursday late night by a High Level Coordination Committee formed to combat the COVID-19, under the leadership of Nepali Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defense Ishwar Pokharel.

This decision implies that even the diplomatic and official passport holders who who arrive for the first time or return to Nepal after staying abroad should stay in self-quarantine in Nepal for 14 days.

Nepal had suspended, earlier, all  on-arrival visas for nationals of eight counties badly affected by  COVID-19 which include: China, South Korea, Japan, Iran, Italy, Spain, Germany and France.

"Foreigners who have got business, study and work visas should also stay in 14-day self-quarantine after returning to Nepal," the decision reads.

A  set of rules had been prepared by the Nepali government to be followed by those who stay in self-quarantine and on -arrival foreigners need to sign this, said Bikas Devkota, spokesperson at the Ministry of Health and Population and added these decisions would be effective from Mar 14.

Except for Indian nationals, the facility of entry through land routes has also been suspended by Himalayan nationals from March 14 to April 30, for the foreigners .

The Nepali government has also decided to ban any international events in Nepal until May 31.