Latest Covid updates from Nepal

Some countries are slowly coming out of the COVID-19 pandemic and reopening for foreigners. In Nepal, the situation is changing every day. Presently, there are remarkably decreased COVID cases, and citizens of the country adopted and started a New Normal Lifestyle. The pandemic has majorly impacted the tourism sector in Nepal. Gradually, the number of travelers coming to Nepal is increasing which we looking forward to. And through this blog, we would like to update you about the situation and give you the information about the changes and documents requirements regarding visas and entry to Nepal.

Please log on to the official website of the Ministry of Health and Population for the details on the COVID-19 numbers.

https://covid19.mohp.gov.np

 Latest requirements to enter Nepal

The following requirements are necessary for entry into Nepal and will be compulsory for all travelers until further notice:

1. All travelers must have a Covid-19 negative report (RT-PCR/Gene Xpert/True NAAT or equivalent) obtained within 72 hours before their departure.
2. Fully vaccinated travelers at least 14 days before traveling do not need to quarantine on arrival.
3. All tourists must follow the health and security-related protocols given by the Government of Nepal.
4. The government strongly recommends all visitors have at least US$5000 Covid-19 insurance coverage. The Nepal government has instructed Airlines to have built some insurance into the flights they offer, and we recommend checking what level of coverage the airline may provide about Covid-19.
5. All vaccinated foreigners can get an on-arrival visa but still, we encourage you to apply online for a tourist entry visa beforehand.
6. All travelers, those with vaccination against Covid or negative PCR reports, must do a PCR test if any symptoms are visible upon arrival in Nepal. Our team will assist you with this; however, it is essential to note that the test will be at your own cost.
7. You must have proof of hotel booking confirmation that you need to show on- arrival at the airport.

Once you book your flight and get the negative Covid- 19 test results, you must fill up the CCMC form from the link below.

https://ccmc.gov.np/arms/person_add_en.php

After submitting this form, you will receive a barcode. Do not forget to take a screenshot of the barcode, as you will need to show this on arrival at the Kathmandu International Airport.

You can visit the official website of the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) https://www.caanepal.gov.np

Covid-19 andTravel Insurance

Travel Insurance is a compulsion on our entire trek that covers evacuation up to 6000m. Also, make sure that your travel insurance covers changes to your international flights as well as the trip interruption. There are few insurance companies that provide a Cancel For Any Reason (CFAR) upgrade for an additional cost that might be worth the money. But you should keep in mind, without a valid reason your travel insurance will not cover your cancellation. And for the U.S. residents, you can make claims that arise from the COVID- 19 that has been specified in your policy. The benefits of these specified policy includes emergency medical and trip interruption coverage for you personally or who contacts the COVID-19 or goes under quarantine when traveling. You may be eligible for trip cancellation coverage if you happen to get the COVID- 19 at your home country before you leave for your trip.

Different travel insurance companies have their own different policies, so make sure to confirm with them regarding their offers and coverage so that you can travel confidently.

Have you reopen all your tripsand treks?

Seeing the current scenario, we have decided to open our bookings for 2022. You can book any trekking confidently with us now and do not worry about the changes that you might want in the later dates; we are flexible with your choices/changes. As our tourism starts to re-open, we are concerned about the safety of both our guests and hosts. Some of the procedures we will be following to minimize the risk from COVID- 19 includes:

• All guests should be tested for COVID-19, 72 hours prior to travel which is also a mandatory government requirement to enter Nepal.

• All guests will be provided with information about COVID- 19 local health facilities.
• Proper sanitation and disinfection of the accommodation, all trekking gears and equipment after every use.
• Alcohol- based hand sanitizer will be provided in hotels.
• Physical distance will be the highest priority among each individual
• All the team members have been trained in COVID- 19 prevention protocol.
• All the food packaging and preparing areas will be properly cleaned and sanitized.
• All the team members will have a proper health check up before interacting with the guests.

All our guests must be responsible for their own health and should be sensible for the safety of others. We request you to not travel if you are feeling ill or if there is a risk you may be an asymptomatic carrier of COVID-19. If in case you happen to test positive during your stay in Nepal, make sure you inform our team and isolate yourself which we will surely cooperate.

It is quite a hard and challenging time for all the tourism fraternity in this global pandemic. Hotels, restaurants, tour and trekking operators, and the entire tourism group are waiting for the situation to get better and welcome our international guests very soon.  Mountain Routes Team has been working within the protocols given by the Nepal Tourism Board to ensure the safety of both our guests and our entire team.

We understand that it is quite difficult to plan for an international trip in this uncertain situation, but we are always ready to help with any queries you have. We are now open for the bookings. You can book the trip to Nepal now and travel later when the situation gets better.

The Government of Nepal is endeavoring for hassle-free travel procedures. Meanwhile, ensuring all the safety guidelines, the government is also flexible in terms of quarantine and movement within Nepal. Practically, once your COVID is tested and if your result is negative then movement within different parts of the country is not much restricted following all the guidelines of WHO.

Covid Testing Labs and Hospitals in Nepal

The government of Nepal approves 19 Labs for the COVID-19 PCR test to fly abroad. The popular 13 Labs are listed below.

Name of the Lab	Location	Contact No	Contact Person
National Public Health Laboratory (NPHL), Kathmandu	Bagmati	+9779801069383	Mr. Rajesh Kumar Gupta
Provincial Public Health Laboratory 2, Dhanusha	Province-2	+977984383739	Mr. Manmohan Mishra
Bharatpur COVID-19 Diagnostic Lab, Chitwan	Chitwan	+9779855056755	Dr. Neetu Adhikari
Bir Hospital, Kathmandu	Bagmati		Pratibha Bista
Nepal Police Hospital Laboratory, Kathmandu	Bagmati	01-4412430	PCR Lab
Prasuti Griha ( Paropakar Maternity and Women’s Hospital) Kathmandu	Bagmati	+9779841449234	Dr. Karishma Malla Vaidya
Kirtipur Municipality TU Biotech Corona Lab	Bagmati	+9779851133868	Mr.Santaman Manadhar
Lumbini Provincial Hospital, Butwal	Lumbini	+9779847027638	Mr. Youbraj Neupane
Palpa Hospital COVID-19 Lab	Lumbini
Bhaktapur Hospital, Bhaktapur	Bagmati
Civil Service Hospital	Bagmati
Kamalbazar Municipality PCR Lab	Sudur Paschim
Manmohan Memorial Medical College	Kathmandu

All two or older passengers must do the COVID-19 PCR test. It must be done no more than 72 hrs before the flight. Any test done before that day and from labs not specified by the government of Nepal is considered invalid. Travelers must have a negative PCR report before entering the airport. Documents that prove recovery from COVID-19 cannot be used as a substitute to access the airport. Any rule related to COVID-19 at the transits or the traveler’s destination doesn’t affect the criteria to enter the airport in Nepal. A physical report of test results (paper reports) is considered valid by the health authorities at the Tribhuwan International Airport. The paper must include a photo taken by the authorities at the testing center, a QR code that opens up the person’s full profile at the lab’s database, and information about the person testing for the COVID-19. Antigen Tests are also considered invalid. The cost of the test ranges from NPR 1500-2000. The PCR report usually arrives in between 6-8 hours of the test.