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Mount Everest reopens to tourists despite COVID-19 spike
Aug 14, 2020
Hoping to regain revenue lost amid the COVID-19 pandemic , Nepal is set to reopen Mount Everest to climbers and tourists .
In July, the Nepalese government announced that international flights would resume starting Aug. 17.
Trekking, mountaineering hotels, restaurants and businesses have been allowed to reopen since the end of July, and travel agents could book for the fall season.
According to a U.N. Development Programme study , Nepal has lost $400 million due to the virus .
That said, many are uncertain whether reopening is the right decision, with coronavirus cases on the rise and unclear safety protocols.
And, it’s not the first time the government’s motives have been scrutinized. Following the deaths of 11 during Everest’s 2019 spring season , officials were accused of putting profit ahead of safety and causing fatal overcrowding.
In addition, the Kathmandu Post reported at the beginning of the month that senior officials were in the process of writing rigid regulations “purely aimed at discouraging travelers’ movement,” possibly including a mandated 14-day quarantine, a negative polymerase chain reaction test, and a visa from Nepal’s diplomatic mission.
Before the global health crisis , Nepal’s visa policy was relaxed, allowing tourist visas on arrival.
The country is home to eight of the world’s 14 tallest peaks, also including Kanchenjunga and Annapurna.
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