Status Update on Sept. 16, 2020

Hello yet again from Kathmandu! As the monsoon clouds make way for clear blue days and starry nights, the cool crisp air of the Nepali fall may finally be the harbinger of some relief to the industry after all. Things have changed fast in the last week in this Himalayan capital. With the lockdown eased a little to facilitate movement for everyday life and announcement of trekking/ mountaineering from mid October, there has been a sigh of relief from the tourism and other business sectors.

The Numbers

The situation has been changing every day in Kathmandu and other parts of Nepal. As of Sept. 16, there have been a total of 56,788 cases with the present infected number at 15,779 and total recovered 40,638 and 371 deaths.

For details on the COVID 19 numbers, please log on to the official website of the Ministry of Health and Population

Easing of Lockdown

The Government has allowed movement of long distance vehicles and domestic airlines from Sept. 17. Similarly, green signal has been given for the resumption of international flights from Sept. 21. Shops are allowed to open up during certain days and hours; and public transport, taxis and private vehicles are allowed as per the odd-even regulation.

Resumption of Trekking & Mountaineering

As per the decision of the Cabinet of Ministers and based on the recommendation of the COVID-19 Crisis Management Committee (CCMC) the Government announced on Tuesday, Sept. 15, that trekking and mountaineering will be allowed in Nepal from Oct. 17, 2020.

For details and update on the same, please log on to the official trade website of Nepal Tourism Board .

Resumption of Immigration Services

The Department of Immigration has resumed its visa services from Sept. 13. Visa will be regulated as per prior notice from the Department of Immigration (DoI) dated Aug. 17, without any late fees or penalties till Sept. 27. 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

Resumption of Climbing Permits

The Department of Tourism (DoT) has granted climbing permit to Mt. Baruntse – 7,129 m, in the eastern Himalayas, to a 6-member team of young Nepali climbers on Sept. 4. The team that has already flown out to Lukla is set to acclimatize at Mera Peak before trekking to the base camp of Mt. Baruntse. As per their statement, they hope to reach the summit of Baruntse by Oct. 15.

Similarly, an 18-member team of Bahrain military expedition from its Royal Guard, has been given permission to fly to Nepal for an expedition to Mt. Manaslu – 8,163 m, the 8th highest peak in the world. The permit has not been given yet, but the team has arrived in Kathmandu just today.

All expeditions were totally stopped in the country since March 24. With permits for fall expeditions, the Government has certainly reassured concerns of the mountaineering community and tourism sector about Nepal’s resumption of expeditions at the earliest possible.

For details and update on the same, please log on to the official website of the Department of Tourism .

Festivals / Rituals

As we enter September, we approach the end of monsoons and the beginning of the golden sunsets of fall. Festivals of monsoons have been wrapped up with Bunga Dyo of Rato Machhindranath safely restored to Bungamati in Lalitpur and the chariot on the verge of dismantle.

Pitru Paksha or Sohra Shraadha is ongoing at the moment with the Hindu Brahmins and Chhetris performing rituals in memory of their ancestors before the grand festival of Dashain. This year Pitru Paksha and Dashain are separated by a month-long period of Malmaas or Purushottam Mahina, which is inserted in the Hindu calendar to keep the solar calendar aligned with the lunar calendar and occurs every 32.5 months.

As all festivals this year, Dashain and Tihar are likely to be far less in the public domain, and more of intimate celebrations within families.

For details and update on the same, please log on to the official website of official website of Nepal Tourism Board

A Time to Change

The announcement of trekking and mountaineering from mid October has the tourism industry hopeful for a fresh start and steady pick up over the remainder months of 2020. To ensure safe transition into the new normal, hotels, airlines, transports and the whole tourism sector, has been instructed by the Government to adhere strictly to the Operational Guideline with Health Protocol for Tourism Sector published recently by the Government of Nepal in coordination with Nepal Tourism Board (NTB).

This is definitely the right time for a switch towards good practices for the tourism industry of Nepal; time to raise the bar and transition towards sustainable-responsible-green tourism. As businesses thrive, special attention is due to ensure environment maintenance and upgrade. Similarly, safety and quality experience of visitors must be prioritized at every stage of travel. This is definitely the time to cooperate and collaborate exclusively to build resilient destinations and communities for sustainable future of tourism and the earth.

Banner photo credit: Sabrina Dangol, photonepal.travel