Nepal throws away quarantine requirement and resumes on-arrival visas, in a move hailed by entrepreneurs as much-needed respite for the virus-ravaged industry.
The Immigration Department of Nepal said foreign travellers to Nepal can obtain visas on arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport, Kathmandu and other entry points, including buses from neighbouring India, if the applicants have received both doses of the Covid-19 vaccine at least 14 days in advance.
Further, the travellers are required to show documents attesting that they have tested negative for coronavirus in a test (any one of RT-PCR/Gene Expert/ True NAAT tests) conducted at most 72 hours before arrival and that they have pre-booked hotel arrangements.
With the growing threat of coronavirus ‘pandemic’ across the world, the Nepali Government has officially canceled the ambitious ‘Visit Nepal Year (VNY) 2020’ campaign.
The decision was formally endorsed at the recent meeting of the Council of Ministers on March 22, 2020.
Similarly, the government has also decided to dissolve VNY Secretariat from April 13, 2020.
Earlier, the Nepali Government canceled all the international promotional activities related to the tourism campaign in view of rapid coronavirus outbreak globally.
But as the coronavirus outbreak turned pandemic, the government has decided to cancel the VNY campaign.
The Nepali Government has launched the ‘Visit Nepal 2020’ campaign with much fanfare on January 1, 2020 with an aim to attract 2 million foreign tourists
Nepalese citizens and the tourism industries are believing and hoping very high that the Year 2020 will create a great scenario in Nepalese Tourism which also believed to grow the Nepalese economy. Government of Nepal, several associations and councils related to tourism and tourism enterprises are hoping to enjoy the great Visit Nepal 2020. The official declaration of Visit Nepal Year 2020 has been giving high potentiality and hope for the mass tourist’s arrival. Paradoxically, the new coronavirus outbreak in late December 2019 is hard-hitting badly on such hopes and wishes.
The Novel Coronavirus (COVID- 19) is threatening the world. The Outbreak has caused more than 3,000 deaths among the 89,000 cases (02-03-2020). After mainland China, South Korea, Italy Iran, and other countries have also suffered from the tragedy of Coronavirus. Numbers of new cases are coming out there.
Corona Virus and its impact on Nepalese Tourism and Visit Nepal Year 2020
Before the outbreak of Covid-19 in late December 2019, the expectation for tourism growth and success of VisitNepal2020 was very high and the scenario was also positives. But the outbreak makes the uncertainty in the success of the fest VNY2020. Even the expectation was high until mid-February because of the no cases of Corona in Nepal. But the recent publication of the World Health Organization (WHO) almost kills the hopes of every tourism industry in Nepal. According to the publication of WHO, Nepal is among those nations where the possible impact of Novel Corona is very high and the condition may be worst.
Till the last weeks, the government of Nepal and the tourism department had trying to promote Nepal as the corona free nation to influence the tourist to visit Nepal. But the uncontrollable condition of Novel corona and its more cases outside the china which becoming worst makes the condition to stop every Visit Nepal Year 2020 promote and publicity programs.
The Government of Nepal (GON) discussed the issue and the VISIT NEPAL YEAR 2020. The Cabinet of the ministry has decided to defer all the promotion and the worldwide VNY2020 Programs. Cabinet is also planning and preparing to postpone the fest to 2022.
The promotional campaigns and fairs in the purpose of attracting more than 2 million foreign tourists (almost double of last year) are all canceled. Because of the situation and the worst condition due to Novel Corona Virus, the Government of Nepal is planning to introduce measures to promote domestic tourism. The Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation (MOTCA) Yogesh Bhattarai said that they are postponing the international tourism promotion for the time being and will introducing measures to promote domestic tourism.
The VISIT NEPAL YEAR 2020 committee informed that the planned promotional campaign at Berlin Tourism Fair, Germany, had canceled as the organizer them self canceled the fair because of the Outbreak.
The committee also canceled its planned promotional events in China.
The committee also told that the priority of GON has now shifted to building necessary infrastructures to handle the possible influx or rush of the tourists as the situation becomes normal or even better.
The major tourists visiting Nepal were from India and China as per the previous years. For VNY2020, Nepal was expecting the mass inflow of tourists from India and China but the COVID-19 Outbreaks closed all the doors, wisely the government has also needed to shut the doors for the arrivals compulsively to make sure the protection of the citizens and public.
All the flights between China and Nepal are closed and suspended which almost stop any arrivals of Chinese Tourists. The Nepalese tourism experts and authorities are also saying that it’s not a time for counting the numbers of tourists visiting Nepal but it’s a time to express solidarity that is affected by this epidemic. It is time to walking together to fight back the threat of the outbreak.
What is the current situation of the Corona Virus in Nepal?
Nepal is the neighboring country of China. It is also sharing its huge share of international trade with China. After India, China is the main place of Nepal’s import. Not only in trade but these two countries are also related and linked with tourism and many arrivals and departures.
As large numbers of tourists visit Nepal, Nepalese are also visiting China and the large size of peoples is also in China for their study.
The first case of Coronavirus in Nepal is found in the person who recently returned from Wuhan, mainland China who was there for his study and education. As the symptoms were similar to the Corona Virus, he consults with doctor who sent his sample to Hong Kong and the result shocked whole Nepal as it was the first case of Corona Virus in Nepal. after few days 2 peoples also visit the hospital as they were in the same symptoms of Novel Corona but that time result was negative and they are not infected by COVID-19. After weeks of rest and cure, the person suffered Corona also recovered home. The main crisis come to point when the Government planned to take back the all Nepalese who were in Wuhan, mainland China, the place where the Novel corona got the outbreak. Lack of proper equipment, infrastructures and preparation make the improper taken of GON for taking all the rescued peoples in the quartile. All rescued peoples are also verified that they are still no symptoms of Coronavirus.
The up trending rise of Corona Virus cases and the number of deaths gives lots of noise in Nepal. The mess-up of Corona makes a high impact on peoples. It is threatening the peoples and citizens.
The Government of Nepal is planning to suspend all the flight schedules which are destined to and from those locations where the Corona Virus outbreak has made its impact.
GON is also planning to suspend the Visit Neap Year 2020 and all the promotional campaigns and fair related to the VNY2020 promotion are canceled.
Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) would like to appraise all concerned about the series of measures implemented by the Government of Nepal to reduce imported cases and the community transmission of the COVID19 (Wuhan Coronavirus) in Nepal.
The Government of Nepal is monitoring the spread of Corona Virus (COVID-19). Taking into account the global recommendations and measure of the WHO, Government of Nepal has decided to temporarily suspend visa-on-arrival for the nationals of the following countries, effective from March 10, 2020 to till the date of further notice:
People’s Republic of China, including Special Administrative Regions
Islamic Republic of Iran
Italy
Republic of Korea
Japan
However, those wanting to travel to Nepal can obtain visa beforehand from the Nepal Mission abroad. Applicants in these countries are required to submit a recently issued health certificate with the visa application. (Source: www.nepalimmigration.gov.np)
The Tribhuvan International Airport, which is the only international point of entry by air, has stepped up screening measures using additional thermal scanners, thermal guns, sanitizing spray and an increase in the number of health assistants. (source: Ministry of Health and Population)
A new provision of announcement has started at the arrival section in TIA for necessary screening for all passengers.
Travellers experiencing symptoms (discovered through checks or via self declaration) are immediately quarantined and more tests are to be conducted by the Sukraraj Tropical and Infectious Disease Hospital, which is equipped with a special unit and trained medical staff. A quarantine facility has also been established and is on standby just on the outskirts of the city of Bhaktapur. (source: Ministry of Health and Population)
The Health Ministry has requested the public to temporarily suspend all major gatherings in order to reduce the risk of community spread. (source: Ministry of Health and Population)
At the Nepal Tourism Board, the Crisis Response Unit will be posting regular updated advisories on the COVID19 threat on our official website and social media channels.
Recent coronavirus outbreak in China has alarmed the tourism sector in Nepal.
The virus has already entered Nepal and could spread further. It could render a serious blow to the tourism industry, among other sectors. Therefore, we need to take strong measures against the disease.
Health check-up desks for foreigners should be set up not only at the airports but also along the Nepal-India border.
Tourists have already started cancelling hotel bookings.
The outbreak first seen in Chinese Wuhan city has already been seen in Nepal as well.