Kathmandu, March 13
The government of Nepal has decided to suspend the on-arrival visa service that was available for the foreign tourists visiting Nepal, till the end of April this year.
Whereas most of the tourists visiting Nepal receive on-arrival visas at the Kathmandu airport, the decision will severely affect the tourism industry. With India imposing a suspension on all the visas till April 15, all land routes connecting Nepal with the third countries have already been closed.
The decision is a part of the government to protect itself from the infection of COVID-19, which has been announced a pandemic by the World Health Organisation recently.
A meeting of a high-level committee formed to prepare the country for fighting the coronavirus pandemic, led by Deputy Prime Minister Ishwar Pokharel, made the decision on Thursday night.
The meeting also made self-quarantine compulsory for 14 days for everyone, foreigners and Nepalis alike, who come to Nepal.
Meanwhile, the committee also decided to suspend permits already issued or being issued for climbing Nepali peaks this spring season.
Likewise, the government says it has halted issuing labour permits for Nepalis willing to work abroad till the next notice. Neither will it issue any no-objection certificate to the Nepali students willing to study abroad till April 30.
Similarly, the government decided to postpone all international events scheduled to be held in Nepal before May 31.
The government has advised all the Nepalis living abroad not to go outside their residence unless necessary.
