CCMC recommends ban on flights bound to Nepal from 10 nations, including US, India, UK

KATHMANDU: The government is preparing to suspend flights to and from 10 countries, including India and the United States.

The COVID-19 Crisis Management Center (CCMC) has recommended to the Council of Ministers to stop direct international flights to Nepal from the 10 countries most affected by the coronavirus.

A meeting of the CCMC on Friday evening concluded that COVID infection had blown out of proportion in the country and recommended the closure of domestic flights as well.

Minister for Tourism Bhanubhakta Dhakal said flights taking off from ten countries including India, USA and UK, and destined to Nepal were proposed to be halted.

He, however, said the rule would not apply to transit planes.

According to Dhakal, a proposal to stop domestic flights was also recommended. He said that the recommendations made by the CCMC would be passed by the next meeting of the Council of Ministers and then only implemented.

Experts had been suggesting a ban on flights from India, which is severely affected by the virus.

The meeting also recommended to the Council of Ministers to close 22 border crossings with India.