Nepal temporarily suspends on-arrival visas for eight countries

KATHMANDU, March 10: The government of Nepal has temporarily suspended on-arrival visas for the nationals from eight countries to contain the possible outbreak of COVID-19.

“Taking into account the global recommendations and measures of the WHO, the Government of Nepal has decided to temporarily suspend visa-on-arrival for the nationals from China and its special administrative regions, Iran, Italy, Korea and Japan which will be in effect from 10th March whereas the suspension will come into effect for the nationals from France, Germany and Spain from March 13 until the further notice,” the Department of Immigration said in a press release on Monday.

“However, nationals from these countries, willing to visit Nepal can obtain visa beforehand from the Nepali missions abroad. Those applicants and also the nationals transiting from these countries bound to arrive Nepal are required to submit a recently issued health certificate stating that they are not infected by COVID-19 along with their visa applications. The aforementioned health certificate will be scrutinized both at the immigration at the airport in Kathmandu and the land border entry-exit points of Nepal,” the release reads.

The government has also recommended the nationalities from these eight countries to use the Tribhuvan International Airport, Kathmandu, the only entry-exit point that will be remaining open for arrival and departure in Nepal.

“Rest of the land POE (Point of Entry and Exit) in Nepal are temporarily suspended till the date of further notice.”

The government has also advised the Airlines operators and travel/tour operators bound to Nepal to manage the traveling route accordingly.

And those who have already got prior visas from the missions and embassies of Nepal abroad should produce health certificate that proves COVID-19 negative along with the travel documents.

“The health certificates must be recently produced, maximum seven days earlier before the time of arrival in Nepal,” the release adds.

The government has also requested the Nepali missions abroad to deal the visa matters accordingly.

China and Italy are the worst hit regions by the coronavirus outbreak that has infected more than 113, 000 people in 110 countries and killed more than 4,000.

Since the outbreak in late December last year, China death toll has reached 3,136 and 80,754 have been infected, 56 million people in Hubei province remain under quarantine.

China reported only 17 deaths and 19 new infections on Tuesday – which is the lowest number since the reporting began in late January, according to AFP.

But the virus has rapidly risen around the world, particularly Italy where 9,172 cases and 463 deaths have been reported, reported Associated Press.

And in order to contain the deadly virus, Italy has imposed national restriction on its 60 million people.

Iran on Tuesday reported another 43 deaths, pushing the official toll to 237, with 7,161 confirmed cases.

South Korea reported 35 more cases, bringing its total to 7,513.