KATHMANDU: Thousands of Nepalis in Saudi Arabia can now return home by making Qatar or Turkey a transit.

Thousands of Nepali migrants got stranded after Nepal-Saudi Arabia direct flights were halted due to the second wave of the coronavirus. The flight ban affected Nepali workers, who purchased tickets before the flight ban, those returning home after their contracts or visit visa expired, and those who lost their jobs due to various reasons.

The government of Nepal recently resumed regular flights with three countries: Qatar, Turkey and China.

According to a statement released Friday by the Nepali Embassy in Saudi Arabia, it is unlikely that a direct flight from Saudi Arabia to Nepal would open any time soon and those wishing to travel to Nepal could do so via Qatar or Turkey on Qatar Airways, Nepal Airlines and Turkish Airlines flights. The embassy has also requested Nepalis who want to return home to contact the concerned airlines or travel agencies for tickets.

Meanwhile, Nepalis have demanded to open regular Saudi Arabia-Nepal flights saying returning via Turkey or Qatar would be an expensive return, especially if they are returning after losing their jobs.

The government has listed 78 hotels, including five five-star hotels, as quarantine hotels for Nepalis returning home from abroad.

Passengers returning home from these countries will have to stay in the mandatory hotel quarantine for five days. After the PCR test is negative in the hotel quarantine, returnees will be allowed to go home to stay in another 10 days home quarantine.

However, those who returned from abroad to attend the funeral of relatives will be allowed to straightly go home on the recommendation of the local level to stay in at least 10 days of mandatory home quarantine.