KATHMANDU: The Nepal government has decided to waive off quarantine and Covid-19 insurance rules for tourists starting from October 17 onwards, sources said.

A meeting of the Council of Ministers held at the Prime Minister’s residence approved a proposal presented by the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation which will allow foreign tourists, who test negative for Covid-19 72 hours before their departure, to enter the country without having to quarantine at a hotel for seven days, The Himalayan Times quoted the sources as saying.

However, the tourists will have to take an antigen test or an instant PCR test immediately upon arriving at the Tribhuvan International Airport, according to the Ministry proposal.

The government has also planned to waive off the Covid-19 insurance of $5,000 for the tourists but the travelers must assure that their medical costs would be covered by themselves or the handling agencies, if they contract the virus during their visit, the sources added.

Tourism Minister Yogesh Bhattarai told The Himalayan Times that said that his Ministry would announce the protocols after consulting with the Covid-19 crisis management center in a day or two.

“We are ready to facilitate tourism activities addressing stakeholders’ concerns,” he added.