List of events affected in Nepal by coronavirus outbreak

In order to avoid the possible spread of COVID-19, a number of organizations including Kathmandu-based diplomatic missions, UN agencies, municipalities and sport bodies have called of several events planned in the coming days.

Here are the events that have been affected by coronavirus outbreak.

KTM Series: The KTM Series is the latest event hit by the coronavirus outbreak. The UN Women Country Team postponed the KTM Series, a hiking event scheduled for March 7 to celebrate the International Women’s Day “indefinitely” stating it would be “in best interest of the participants” and “the government mandate”.

Kathmandu District Administration Office Thursday had issued a circular requesting one and all not to organize and participate in the public events including Holi in order to avoid the infection and spread of coronavirus.

US Independence Day in Kathmandu: The Embassy of the United States in Kathmandu called of Independence Day reception planned for March 6 in “respect of the Government of Nepal’s request to refrain from organization public events”.

Visit Nepal 2020 publicity campaign: The government on Feb 29 suspended the Visit Nepal Year 2020 promotion campaign in foreign countries for the time being owing to coronavirus outbreak — which is a serious blow to Nepal’s target of bringing two million tourists.

Bhaktapur Festival 2020: Bhaktapur Municipality on Friday postponed its annual event Bhaktapur Festival 2020 citing threats of possible spread of coronavirus.

The event scheduled for March 17-21 was put off “for now”, according to Mayor Sunil Prajapati.

Everest Premier League: Nepal’s biggest T20 cricket event, Everest Premier League, was postponed on Thursday owing to virus fears.

The EPL issuing a press release postponed the T20 event, which was scheduled for March 14-28, “until further notice”.

The likes of international cricket stars Chris Gayle (West Indies), Kesrick Williams, Richard Levi (South Africa), George Munsey (Scotland) Dwayne Smith (West Indies), Jeevan Mendis (Sri Lanka), Milinda Siriwardana (Sri Lanka), Bilal Khal (Oman), Mohammad Shahzad (Afghanistan), Paul Stirling (Ireland), James Fuller (South Africa), Tim David (Singapore), Kevin O’Brien (Ireland), Corey Anderson (New Zealand), Upul Tharanga (Sri Lanka), Hammad Azam (Pakistan), Hassan Khan (Pakistan) and Mir Hamza (Pakistan) were set to visit Kathmandu to play in the fourth edition of the domestic tournament.

The National Sports Council (NSC) has also advised the sport bodies to put off all kinds of sporting activities.

Football: All Nepal Football Association (ANFA) postponed the Deputy Mayor National Women’s League, scheduled to begin from March 16 in Dharan, and men’s national team training session in response to the outbreak.

The football government body also directed the District Football Associations to put off district level tournaments until further notice.

“The underway tournaments will be on hold only if the government or the authorities request to refrain the measures of transmission,” the ANFA said.

The Martyrs’ Memorial B-Division League is currently underway.