Repatriation resumes

The government has resumed chartered flights to repatriate Nepali workers from abroad after cancelling them last week. Some 4000 Nepalis are expected to return till 31 August in flights by Nepal Airlines, Himalaya Airlines, and some international airlines from Abu Dhabi, Doha, Kuala Lumpur, Riyadh, Dubai, Sharjha, Dammam, Incheon, and Singapore.

After 1 September, regular international flights will be allowed, but they will be limited to only 500 passenger arrivals per day in Kathmandu. Before boarding passengers must all present proof of negative COVID-19 PCR test done 72 hours prior to departure.

However countries where PCR tests are difficult to obtain, like Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Kuwait, can fly to Kathmandu without those reports,  but have to stay one week in hotel quarantine on arrival in Kathmandu. They have to pay the hotel costs to the airline with their tickets.

The government says it has strictly not allowed airlines to mix passengers with PCR negative tests with those who do not have those tests.

On 17 August, the current 19 crisis management committee (CCMC) had abruptly cancelled permission for charge repatriation flights that were previously scheduled till the end of the month.