On Monday, 20 July, the Nepal government with the crisis management team held a cabinet meeting at the residence of Prime minister of Nepal – KP Oli to discuss the resumption of flight services in Nepal. The decision concluded that the Nepal government is ready to resume the operation of flight services from 17 August 2020.
Before declaring the exact date for the resumption of flight services, the Nepal government previously has announced several dates that kept getting pushed back.
The minister for law, justice, and parliamentary affairs- Shiva Maya Tumbahangphe informed that cabinet meeting decided to lift the airline's operation restrictions and to allow both international and domestic flight services. He informed that “The cabinet took the decision looking at the current situation of Nepal, as the country is confirming fewer cases per day.”
Nepal went nationwide lockdown on 24 March, forcing all businesses to shut its operation. After 4 months of the suspension period, airlines as well as tourism entrepreneurs welcome the decision to lift the restrictions that were in place.
On Monday, Nepal confirmed 186 cases making a toll number of 17844 confirmed cases of the virus. The spokesperson for the Ministry of health, Dr. Jageshwor Gautam, informed that till Monday, 11868 COVID-19 patients have made the recovery and on Monday 173 were sent home.
The administration says the choice to continue flights was taken as certain nations have just begun to lift the coronavirus limitations.
Before the government decided to uplift the restriction for flight services, the country has slowly begun to lift the coronavirus virus restriction regarding other matters. The café, restaurants, public transportations service sectors have smoothly been operating amidst the pandemic.
The airline company seems keen on the government's decision as well. After more than 4 months of suspension, the airline companies are looking to operate flights adapting the health and hygiene protocols for the safety of the passengers.
With this declaration, industry insiders have brought up the Tourism Ministry to reconsider the required quarantine provision to outside travelers. The 14 days of mandatory quarantine may discourage tourists from visiting the country. So, industry entrepreneurs have bidden the government think about feasible and reasonable quarantine provision.
You can also, check The Kathmandu Post for more information regarding this latest announcement.
