If you are planning a trip to Nepal you will be delighted to hear that the travel restrictions have been eased. As people around the world are receiving the Covid vaccines, Nepal has announced a new travel rule for visitors who have been vaccinated.
As per the updated rules, foreign travellers who have received both doses of the covid-19 vaccine are exempted from the quarantine policy in Nepal.
Visitors will need to submit documents proving that both doses of the vaccine have been taken. Vaccinated tourists visiting the country must also submit a negative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test. The test must have been taken within 72 hours prior to departure from the first embarkation form. Apart from this, tourists will have to take another Covid-19 test on arrival in Nepal and the cost of this test must be borne by the visitor. The traveller will need to remain in quarantine until the report comes
The new protocol reads, “If the report is positive, they should, as per the rules, remain for further isolation in the hotel at their own costs. With a negative PCR result, they can continue on their tour.”
The government has removed the $5,000 Covid-19 insurance requirement.
According to the new rule, Indian tourists planning a visit to Nepal have been asked to follow the rules as per the India-Nepal travel bubble agreement. On arrival visas for tourists have also been resumed after a year of being suspended. Foreign tourists can apply for visas at Nepal’s embassies and diplomatic mission in their own countries. If they do not have this facility in their country of residence, they can apply for a visa on arrival at Kathmandu Tribhuvan International Airport.
According to the new rules, tourists seeking on-arrival visas should submit at least four documents at the airlines check-in counters, before boarding the flight to Nepal: PCR negative report taken 72 hours prior to their departure, documents proving that they are vaccinated with full dose; a copy of a recommendation letter issued by the Nepal Tourism Board and Department of Tourism; proof of hotel booking in Nepal; and travel insurance covering emergency search and rescue and treatment throughout their travel in Nepal.
“The airlines should permit the passengers coming to Nepal after checking these four documents,” the ministry said in its updated rules. “This new rule replaces all the travel rules issued by the government earlier.” said the ministry.
At present, as per the Department of Tourism, travellers to Nepal are required to submit a negative PCR report taken less than 72 hours before departure, a hotel booking for at least seven days’ quarantine in Nepal and an insurance coverage against Covid-19 of at least $5,000, per person. Tourists must go into hotel quarantine for a minimum of seven days upon their arrival in Nepal. Tourists are also required to take a PCR test on the fifth day of their hotel quarantine and at their own expense. They will be allowed to continue with their travel plans only if the test results are negative.
The new protocols have been introduced by the Nepal government to boost travel and tourism which was majorly affected amid the pandemic. Nepal hopes to see more tourists return to the country this year between March and May-end as this is considered the peak tourist season.
Also read: Thailand Will Welcome Vaccinated Foreigners into Phuket from July 1
