KATHMANDU: Gulf countries and Malaysia that are major destinations for Nepali migrant workers have adopted strict measures from lockdown to barring international travelers to combat the outbreak of COVID-19.

Economists opine the ban will hit remittance that is a major contributor to Nepal’s economy.

Nepal bans workers from leaving for South Korea

Nepal has currently ban workers from leaving South Korea. The decision was taken after COVID-19 started spreading at an alarming rate in the country where over 40,000 Nepalis are employed in different sectors.

Lockdown in Malaysia

The Malaysian government has currently enforced a lockdown in the country till the end of March barring international travels.

The Nepali Embassy in Kuala Lumpur has closed services such as passport renewal, travel permit and demand verification among other services. Over 400,000 Nepali workers are currently in Malaysia.

UAE bars arrival

The United Arab Emirates has barred international arrival in the country from March 19 for two weeks. Some 250,000 Nepalis are employed in the UAE.

Likewise, the Nepali Embassy in the UAE has requested Nepalis not to leave the country and not to bring their family members from Nepal.

The Embassy has also announced the suspension of all services to be provided by the embassy until further notice.

All govt offices close in Kuwait

Kuwait has currently closed all government offices and also barred all international commercial flights. The Nepali Embassy there has also closed all services until further notice.

Saudi Arabia suspends all international flights

Saudi Arabia has currently suspended all international flights. The Nepali Embassy there has announced that it will not be providing services until further notice. Some 350,000 Nepalis work in the country.

Qatar denies entry, quarantines workers

With the deadly virus continuing its march across the world, the Qatar government has temporarily denied entry to 14 countries including Nepal.

Nepal has also featured in the list of the countries banned by the Qatar government, the lucrative destination for foreign employment.

The Qatar government has barred the foreigners from China, Egypt, India, Iran, Iraq, Nepal Lebanon, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Philippines, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Syria, and Thailand visiting the country.

Some 2,000 Nepali workers who were working in four coronavirus-prove companies in the country are currently placed under quarantine.

Over 400,000 Nepali migrant workers have been working in Qatar, currently.

Nepalis in Bahrain test negative

Three Nepali workers placed in quarantine in Nepal have tested negative for COVID-19.