Nepal’s government has extended its ban on international arrivals. A Tuesday miniseterial meeting decided to halt international arrivals until 30th April, 2020, as a protection measured against the pandemic attributed to COVID-19.
Nepal had suspended all international arrivals from 22nd March, 2020. Earlier announced until 31st March, the ban was further extended to 15th April. Tuesday’s decision has further extended the ban up to 30th April, 2020.
While the government has applied a total ban on arriving passengers, it has been allowing foreigners and permanent residents of other nations to depart – for example, on 1st April, 2020, 252 Australians and New Zealanders stranded in Nepal due to the lockdown were able to depart Kathmandu – thanks to the efforts of Australian Embassy in Kathmandu.
Embassy of the United States of America in Kathmandu was also able to send its citizens/permanent residents home via 2 flights. The British Embassy in Kathmandu has also managed two flights for its residents – one on 8th April, and one on 10th April. Similarly, Germany has also managed three repatriation flights, and its fourth plane is due to leave today (8th April, 2020). Germany has also extended its repatriation assistance to citizens of other EU member nations.
Nepal is under a national lockdown until 15th April, 2020 (midnight). The government had announced a national lockdown from March 24, initially for a week, but later extended until April 7, midnight. The lockdown was further extended until 15th April, 2020.
