After shutting down the world’s highest mountain, Mount Everest, for months because of the Coronavirus pandemic, Nepal has finally reopened it for Fall 2020 to revive tourism. By Kumar Shree
Nepal relaxed its lockdown rules a few weeks ago and is now looking to welcome tourists once again for mountaineering and trekking adventures. Since tourism forms a major part of Nepal‘s economy, this move can be seen as a step to boost the same.
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Reports also suggest that the Nepal government is planning to allow international flight operations in the country starting August 17. Since the Coronavirus cases are on the rise in the country, authorities are working towards formulating guidelines to ensure tourist safety. The government will also decide on a fixed quarantine period for those coming into the country.
As reported by Reuters, Mira Acharya, a Nepal tourism department official said, “We have reopened mountaineering and will issue climbing permits for the autumn season.” The autumn climbing season for Mount Everest runs from September to November, and it is considered a high-risk season because of lower temperature and windy climate.
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The April-May season is considered safer for a climb. Since Mount Everest was closed this year through April and May, Nepal has lost a huge chunk of tourism revenue.
Ang Tshering Sherpa, an expedition organiser in Nepal’s capital, Kathmandu said, “Some climbers to smaller mountains may come, but I have doubts about big ones.”
Recently, Nepal also allowed the reopening of hotels and restaurants with some restrictions in place. Apart from ensuring basic social distancing and hygiene norms, any conferences, seminars, casinos and gyms will not be allowed to function at the moment.
