Nepal resumes international flights next month

Nepal will restart international flights next month after coming out of a long lockdown.

Airports will reopen for the first time since March.

Domestic and international flights resume from 17 August said Nepal’s Tourism and Civil Aviation Minister Yogesh Bhattarai.

"The ministry is working on safety protocols for airport management, flight operators and passengers for the purpose," he told AFP.

Although the lockdown ended, mass gatherings are still banned and schools and cinemas  remain closed.

Long distance bus services will also resume on 17 August.

All international passengers will need a health certificate saying they are virus-free.

Nabin Trital of the Trekking Agencies’ Association of Nepal cautiously welcomed the reopening of the country and a restart for the tourism industry.

"We are discussing… protocols to ensure safety of those who visit," he said.

by Ray Motgomery, Asia Pacific editor