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Kathmandu, March 2

The government has issued travel advisory to Nepali citizens planning to go abroad in the wake of coronavirus epidemic that has affected more than 60 countries. It has also put in place provisions for foreigners planning to visit Nepal.

According to Minister of Foreign Affairs Pradeep Gyawali, Nepali citizens have been advised to postpone their plans to visit foreign countries, especially the countries already affected by the COVID-19 epidemic, for any purpose — study, work or tourism.

The government has also decided not to issue no-objection certificates to students planning to visit countries that have already been affected by COVID-19 outbreak or are at high risk of such epidemic.

As far as migrant workers are concerned, Gyawali said the government had requested the South Korean government to temporarily halt hiring Nepali nationals through the EPS system. The government has also urged Nepalis not to travel to the Middle East countries to work till further notice.

Yesterday, 38 Nepali migrant workers travelling to Bahrain via Dubai were deported. According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Nepalis were deported as they had come from a country designated as one of the most vulnerable countries to COVD-19 outbreak by the World Health Organisation.

The government has urged its missions abroad, especially in the Middle East countries where there are millions of Nepalis, to stay alert for rescue, evacuation or assistance in the case of an outbreak.

At a press conference organised at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Gyawali said the government had also put in place provisions for foreigners arriving in Nepal. He said the latest measures were adopted after the WHO issued a warning on February 29.

As per the provisions, the government will stop issuing on-arrival visas from March 6 to foreigners coming from affected or high-risk countries,

Read the full story on The Himalayan Times

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