Status Update – Aug. 24, 2020

A big Hello from a very locked down Kathmandu! It is still very rainy here with hot, sunny days of “Bhadaure Gham” every once in a while. With the pollution at its lowest, Kathmandu residents now have the rare chance of enjoying dust and emission free Kathmandu in its lush and verdant monsoon glory. This is a surreal time and shall be remembered, and it brings back memories of the bygone era of Kathmandu when the valley was green, the rivers were full and the residents breathed cool, clean air throughout the year.

COVID-19 Numbers

The situation here has been changing every day. As of Aug. 23, 2020, there have been a total of 31,117 cases with the present infected number at 12,621 and total recovered 18,350 with 146 deaths. With the worrying spread, the Government has stepped up precaution with another round of lockdown in Kathmandu Valley and has sealed borders to the valley and across the country beefing up security to prevent random movement and activities. The lockdown in Kathmandu from Aug. 20 was initially announced for a week and is expected to be extended in view of the current situation of COVID-19 in the capital valley and around the country.

For details on the COVID-19 numbers, please log on to the official website of the Ministry of Health and Population at https://covid19.mohp.gov.np/

Scheduled Flights From Sept. 1

The Government of Nepal has announced that it will allow closely monitored scheduled and chartered international flights to Kathmandu from Sept. 1, 2020, ensuring that arrival by air each day shall not exceed 500. Regular scheduled flights shall be available from certain countries where COVID 19 is more controlled and PCR tests are easily available. These flights shall be available for Nepali people, diplomats, expats and aid workers. Chartered flights shall be arranged for Nepali people who need repatriation flights back home from countries where PCR tests are not readily available. The flights being more in view of the movement needed for repatriation and work, tourism is still in the backseat at the moment. Airlines are likely to get permission to operate normally only when the situation is more in control.

For details and update on the same, please log on to the official website of Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) https://www.caanepal.gov.np

Documents Required For Flying To Nepal

As per official statement, it is mandatory for passengers on the flights to Nepal to carry and produce the following documents before boarding the flight and at Kathmandu airport:

• Valid visa/ entry permit where applicable
• PCR negative test report not older than 72 hours
• Filled online COVID 19 Crisis Management Center (CCMC) form copy with bar code
• Hotel booking for a minimum of 7 days

For details and update on quarantine, please log on to the official trade website of Nepal Tourism Board http://trade.welcomenepal.com

Designated Hotels For Quarantine

The Government has also designated hotels where services will be available for those in need of accommodation for quarantine. Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation (MoCTCA) has enlisted all category hotels from five-star to moderate where quarantine facilities will be available.

For a list of hotels available for quarantine accommodation, please log on to official trade website of NTB https://trade.welcomenepal.com/notices

Immigration Notice Regarding Visa Services

In an effort to stop the threat of COVID-19 spread further, the Department of Immigration announced suspension of its visa related services from Aug. 17, 2020, until further notice. Considering the increasing threat of spread and as per the decision made by Government dated Aug. 10, 2020, DOI has closed its visa services. In case of any further queries regarding extension of visa or overstay, please contact the immigration officers as mentioned in the notice during office hours.

For details and update on the same, please log on to the official website of the Department of Immigration https://www.immigration.gov.np/

Monsoons & Festivals

The monsoons herald the season of festivals in Nepal. Despite the lockdown and restriction in movement in Kathmandu and all across the country, celebration has not ceased among the Nepali people. Owing to lack of mobility, the online world has been a great option to connect virtually, as social media are flooded with colorful content from Nepali people all over the world.

Festivities have been ongoing since mid July or the month of Shrawan. Recent festivals were Kushe Aunsi or Father’s Day followed closely by Teej to celebrate womanhood with singing, dancing and merry-making. Songs and dances poured in from Facebook and Tiktok videos as we saw Nepali women celebrating Teej at home in their nonchalant Nepali style. The list of Nepali festivals is never ending and shows how fond the Nepali people are of celebrating life.

For details & updates on festivals of Nepal, please visit official destination website of the NTB at https://www.welcomenepal.com

Festivals To Come

While the Machhindranath Rath is still on hold at Pulchowk waiting for Government to permit the chariot on its journey down to Lagankhel and then to Jawalakhel from where the deity will be transferred to Bungamati, the next big Newari Jatra in the valley is Indra Jatra during which Living Goddess Kumari will make an appearance. However, it is still to be seen if the festival will follow the norm or will be a low key celebration to avoid crowding.

Come autumn, Nepalis will be in the throes of their most awaited Dashain and Tihar, which usually fall between mid October to mid November. Next will be Chhat celebrating the powerful Sun God, Yomari Punhi, Tamu Lhosar, Udhauli, and Christmas as the year 2020 ends.

Tourism As Of Now

For now Nepal is only ready to welcome expats, diplomats and aid workers who need to be here for special mission or work. There is the tremendous pressure for all, the Government, the health workers, the security, the frontline people and all Nepali people to stand up to the times and help contain the spread. Hotels, restaurants, tour operators, trekking agencies and all of the tourism fraternity wait for the situation to improve so that our friends from across the world who are eager to visit can be answered in affirmation. For now, Nepal Awaits!