Corona Virus COVID 19 cases in Nepal, Recent updates

Total number of Corona virus cases in Nepal [Live]

Nepal government chose to lock down the entire nation for a week till 31 March 6AM. 

This was a lot of stricter stay-at-home order that carried all development to halt and furthermore close all government workplaces, organizations and shops. All remaining local flights and public vehicles were stopped, and  banned individuals from moving around except if it is for clinical reasons or to purchase essentials. Previously, the High Level Coordination Committee had made the decision that "all the passengers coming through direct flights, having a transit at, and taking the first flight of their origin from Europe, West-Asia and all the Gulf-Countries, Turkey, Malaysia, South Korea, and Japan were         subjected to Arrival Restrictions in Nepal." This, arrival restriction in Nepal came in to effect from 20th March 2020 (Friday) midnight Nepali Standard Time (NST) to till 12th April 2020 (Sunday) midnight (NST).

Further, the Nepal government had temporarily suspended visas for all foreigners and Non-resident Nepalese entering Nepal from March 14 to 13 April 2020. 

Global COVID 19 Cases

What is the Corona Virus Disease (COVID 19)?

According to the World health organization (WHO), Coronaviruses (CoV) are a large family of viruses that cause sickness ranging from the common cold to more severe illnesses such as Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS-CoV) and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS-CoV). A novel coronavirus (nCoV) is a new strain that has not been previously identified in humans. Novel Corona Virus is an outbreak of respiratory disease caused by a novel (new) Corona Virus known as COVID 19. It was first identified in Wuhan, Hubei Province, China in December 2019. 

Common signs of infection include respiratory symptoms, fever, cough, shortness of breath and breathing difficulties. In more severe cases, the infection can cause pneumonia, severe acute respiratory syndrome, kidney failure, and even death. 

Standard recommendations to prevent infection spread include regular hand washing, covering mouth and nose when coughing and sneezing, thoroughly cooking meat and eggs. Avoid close contact with anyone showing symptoms of respiratory illness such as coughing and sneezing.

Corona virus diagram showing spikes and RNA and n proteins (Source Wikimedia commons)

Latest data about Corona virus cases in Nepal

First five coronavirus cases in Nepal.

1.  Nepalese person (32-year), showing up from Wuhan, was the first one who tested positive for Covid 19 deadly disease. He was then released after recovery.
2. A female patient (19-year old ), tested COVID-19 positive, is said to have returned from France via Qatar transit on 2020, March 17. On arrival, the patient had taken the preventive measure of self-isolation.
3. One person (37 years) has tested positive for the coronavirus infection in Kathmandu two days after the second case was confirmed. The person had recently returned from the United Arab Emirates.
4. A 34-year-old who recently returned from the Middle East has a positive test. He is getting treatment at Seti Provincial Hospital in Dhangadhi.  
5. 19-year-old girl who travelled to Kathmandu from Belgium via Qatar has tested positive for COVID-19. 

In order to evade the corona-virus (COVID-19) spread, the Nepali Government has chosen to suspend visas to all foreigners and Non-resident Nepalis entering the country from March 14 to April 13, 2020. The visa suspension was made on the basis of the WHO's declaration that covid-19 is a 'pandemic' in nature. Prior to March 10, 2020, Nepal has suspended an 'on-arrival visa' for the residents of 8 nations including China, Italy, Iran, Japan, South Korea, Spain, Germany, and France. Nonetheless, the individuals from these nations will be permitted to Nepal on the case that if, they can show themselves as a corona virus-free person, where a medical certificate is mandatory. Besides, Nepal has ended all mountaineering expedition, including Mount Everest climb, and stopped giving on-arrival tourist visas and encouraged nations to take careful steps. Consistently Nepal, as a Himalayan nation attracts mountain climbers from everywhere throughout the world and makes a huge amount of dollars as earnings from Everest, permits only each year. This progression, obviously, will make antagonistic impacts in Nepal's overall economy which significantly depends on the Travel industry.

Consequences of Corona virus pandemic in Nepal's tourism-based economy

The prohibition on the mountaineering expedition will demolish the nation's economy and prevent a large number of adventure travelers from visiting the holiday hotspot. As Nepal has additionally stopped its well-known visa-on-arrival scheme, it will make it practically inaccessible for some travelers to visit the Himalayan nation. Hundred of thousands of guests travel to Nepal every year, with the spring climbing season starting in March and peaking in April and May. 

Nepal depends vigorously on the travel industry income, with hotel lodgings, airlines and the great extent of mountain guide network all set to suffer from the travel ban. The devastated country makes more than $5 million just from the permit fees grant which it charges foreigners to climb Mount Everest. A large number of more tourist dollars are going into restaurants, inns, remote towns and go to local porters and trekking organizations. 

Despite the fact that there are no many signs of a health emergency, Nepal's economy has just been hit hard and the impact is expected to decline in the coming days as the travel industry crumples and air travel is additionally weakened. The Asian Development Bank's recently released 'COVID-19 Economic Effect Assessment Template' predicts lost up to $322 million in Nepal. 

The travel industry part has been affected by movement restriction forced by Nepal and different nations, and carriers dropping flights. The government chose to revoke a visa on arrival in Kathmandu for nationals of all nations. Visitors will still be allowed to enter Nepal but they will require a visa from a Nepali mission abroad and also a Coronavirus-free health certificate.  The visa rule is effective from 14 March to 30 April for now. The new rule comes one day after China dropped all expeditions from its side of Mt Everest.

Nepal Government urgent notices about Coronavirus outbreak

Corona virus in Nepal, Recent urgent updates by Nepal government

Thus, regarding the recent updates about Corona virus in Nepal, as the number of Covid 19 cases is increasing every day all around the world, Nepal government is strengthening its border. The government of Nepal is suspending visas to all foreigners temporarily in order to prevent this deadly disease to spread inside the country. The disease has already made huge negative impacts in Nepal's tourism-based economy as a number of tourist visas particularly on-arrival visas for many countries are stopped and many international flights are being canceled. Hotels, restaurants, and tourism-based organizations are in the verge of shutting down. Let's hope the situation will improve in days to come. 

Important links and source:

Ministry of health and population, Covid 19 outbreak updates

Department of Immigration Nepal

Nepal tourism board corovavirus situation updates.

Department of passports
World health organization (WHO), Nepal.

Wikipedia