Nepal opens up for tourists

 Nepal has resumed on-arrival visa services for foreigners.

According to a new protocol issued by the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation, now tourists can get on-arrival visa as Nepal reported a sharp decline in the new cases of Covid-19 in the past few weeks. The  new rule has also scrapped the mandatory requirement to stay in quarantine for 14 days in case of those, who have received both the doses of Covid-19 vaccines.

The new protocol was issued under the Infectious Disease Act (1964), after the Covid-19 Crisis Management Ordinance (2020), along with around a dozen ordinances, introduced by the government, became ineffective from September 16 when they failed to get through House within the constitutional deadline. The cabinet, on Monday, approved the new travel protocol under the old Infectious Disease Act. It will be effective from today, according to the Tourism Ministry.

According to the new protocol, all foreigners arriving in Nepal, however, will have to undergo antigen tests at the entry point. "They can directly go to their destinations without having to stay in mandatory quarantine, if they test negative for the virus," the protocol reads, "But those testing positive in the antigen tests are required to stay in a hotel until they test negative for the virus."

If the antigen test facility is not available at the border points, the visiting foreign nationals need to undergo such tests at their respective hotels, the protocol reads, adding that they are allowed to venture outside only after they have a negative PCR test report.

Likewise, Nepalis returning the country with both doses of Covid-19 vaccines can directly go to their homes. They, however, must produce a PCR negative test of Covid-19 taken 72 hours before their departure, the protocol adds.

"Indian nationals, who test negative for the virus can enter Nepal even if they have not received Covid-19 vaccines," it reads, adding that they must furnish PRC negative reports conducted within 72 hours before their arrival at Nepal's border. "They also need to fill up an online form available at the Central Covid-19 Crisis Management Center (CCMC) and produce a hard copy of the form upon their arrival at the border point."

Nepal’s decision to ease quarantine requirements and visa issuance has send a positive message to the international community, according to the travel and tourism entrepreneurs.