Aug 23, Kathmandu: The Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation is gearing up to prepare the schedule for the regular international flight that would be resumed from September 1 after nearly five months. However, only Nepalis and representatives of diplomatic missions, the United Nations and development partners will be allowed to fly into Nepal, with restrictions on foreign tourists until further notice.
The flights will bring home stranded Nepalis abroad on a priority basis. The regular international flights would be conducted to the countries where PCR test facility is easily accessible.
According to deputy spokesperson at the Ministry, Rajan Poudel, the government has decided to fly home Nepalis not exceeding 500 in number every day.
The Ministry is coordinating efforts with the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) and the diplomatic missions in the concerned countries to bring the Nepalis rendered jobless or stranded due to COVID-19 pandemic.
“After completing seven days in quarantine, they have to give in writing that they would spend another 14 days in home quarantine,” said Khatiwada.
Airlines will have to collect the expenses of hotel quarantine from their passengers and ensure that they pay the respective hotels as per the bookings. However, if they violate any rules and bring people having no PCR tests, the concerned airline will have to bear all the quarantine expenses of all their passengers, according to the Cabinet decision.
“The government will take legal action if they break the rules,” said Khatiwada.
The Ministry is coordinating efforts with the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) and the diplomatic missions in the concerned countries to bring the Nepalis rendered jobless or stranded due to COVID-19 pandemic.
After flights resume on September 1, anyone willing to fly out will be allowed to travel.
“People wanting to go abroad can go from September 1, but they should make all the necessary arrangements including visas, tests, entry to the destination country and their stay there by themselves,” said Secretary Mahendra Guragain.
