The Nepal Government is planning to resume domestic and international flight operations from next month with the country making steady progress in its fight against the coronavirus outbreak.
The Tourism Ministry is working on a tentative plan to start domestic flights from August 5 and international flights from August 17, an official close to Minister Yogesh Bhattarai told PTI. The first round of flights will be to and from capital Kathmandu, he said.
The number of active coronavirus cases in Nepal dropped to about 6,000 this week, while the recovery rate remains impressive at 66.12 per cent. In total, the Himalayan nation has reported 17,445 COVID-19 cases.
The COVID-19 death toll rose to 40 on Friday after a 73-year-old man’s death due to coronavirus complications was confirmed. The deceased was a diabetic and suffered from a heart condition.
The Tourism Ministry will recommend the COVID–19 Crisis Management Centre — headed by Deputy Prime Minister Ishwor Pokharel — to resume flight operations from next month, the official said.
A cabinet decision is required to resume the flight services. The Nepal government had suspended air travel in the third week of March to contain the spread of the virus.
However, charter flights were operated to deliver medical equipment and for repatriation.
