KATHMANDU, July 21 (NNN-NEPALNEWS) – The Nepali government decided to resume operation of both domestic and international flights starting from Aug 17, nearly four months after their suspension, a cabinet minister said.
The Nepali government suspended both domestic and international flights on Mar 22, to prevent the spread of COVID-19 pandemic in the country. During the four months, only chartered flights for humanitarian purpose or delivery of medical goods were allowed.
Yogesh Bhattarai, minister for culture, tourism and civil aviation, said last night, the cabinet meeting decided to resume both domestic and international flights starting from Aug 17. “My ministry will prepare detailed health protocols to resume the operation of the flights,” he said.
The Nepali government’s move, follows the decreasing rate of COVID-19 cases in the Himalayan country in recent days. With new 186 cases on Monday, total COVID-19 cases in Nepal reached 17,844, according to Nepal’s Ministry of Health and Population.
The Nepali government’s decision pleased tourism entrepreneurs. Kishor Raj Pandey, chairman of Sathi Travel Agency, said, the government’s decision would not help lead to significant jump in international travels, but some business travels could take place.
“We are not expecting tourists coming to Nepal, at least for the next 3-4 months, but people associated with travel agencies abroad are willing to come to Nepal, if the flight resumes,” he said.
Although the Nepali government had decided, on June 10, to relax the lock-down, allowing some economic activities to run, flight service has continued to remain suspended till now.– NNN-NEPALNEWS
