March 20: In order to prevent the possible spread of coronavirus in Nepal, the government has banned the entry of passengers from 66 countries including Europe, Asia and the Gulf region effective from Friday midnight (March 20).

Not only the citizens of the restricted countries but also Nepali nationals as well as non-resident Nepalis residing in those countries will be barred from entering Nepal. Likewise, passengers on transit from those countries are also not allowed to enter Nepal. According to the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN), citizens of 66 countries as well as other passengers travelling via those highly affected countries are also not allowed to enter Nepal.

As per the decision made by the government on Wednesday, the CAAN has directed airline companies to manage their flights accordingly. Passengers mostly from European countries, West Asia, the Gulf countries as well as Japan and Korea have been barred from entering Nepal.

A meeting of the high level coordination committee to prevent COVID-19 outbreak in Nepal under the coordination of Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defense Ishwor Pokhrel had issued the travel restriction and various other decisions to prevent the spread of coronavirus infection. 

The Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation, has instructed the airline companies not to charge any passenger for cancellation of flights due to the government’s travel ban.

The ministry has asked the airline company to refund the passengers.

Likewise, the Ministry of Health in coordination with the Immigration Department and Nepal Tourism Board, has decided to make necessary arrangements to keep Nepali nationals as well as international passengers from abroad in self quarantine for 14 days.

The meeting chaired by Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Yogesh Bhattarai, has decided to close all the cultural centers, museums and theaters till mid-April. Similarly, it has been decided not to hold any programs in the cultural institutes, meeting halls and auditoriums of Nepal Academy and postpone the pre-scheduled programs.