We hope you all managed to have a lovely Christmas and New Year and were able to celebrate one way or other with loved ones given the circumstances.
With the start of 2021 things are looking up somewhat, despite a rocky start for many countries and we are hopeful that the overall Covid-19 situation will continue to improve, especially now that the vaccine is being rolled out across the globe.
Surprisingly, thanks mostly to a donation of 1million vaccines from India and a framework that is used to giving vaccines despite the diverse geography of the country, Nepal is already up and running with its vaccine programme. It is initially focusing on health care providers and frontline workers, including female community health volunteers, security personnel, elderly people taking refuge in old age homes and prisoners, before moving onto phase 2 at the end of this month. It is hoped, vaccine supply permitting, to have completed the full 72% of the population eligible for the vaccination by the end of May.
Alongside the roll-out of the vaccination programme, Nepal is seeing a drop in new positive cases, hospitalisations and deaths, and has in fact has so far recorded 3 separate days this month where no deaths were attributed to the virus. The experts are not sure of the exact reason behind the drop in infections as no research has been done, but they believe that perhaps the virus is currently weakening here in Nepal and more people than initially thought, have already been infected by the virus and thus built-up antibodies.
Despite the ongoing threat from the virus and the need to continue to follow the rules of masks, social distancing and washing hands, life here in Nepal is as good as back to normal and even the schools are slowly opening up again, after being closed for almost a full year. Just to prove life as we knew it is on its way back, there is some ongoing political unrest, including political demonstrations (a never-ending scourge of Nepal and its fledgling democracy) and a general election has been called for two dates in April and May.
As for tourism, that too is opening up and it is now possible for anyone to come to Nepal as long as they follow the rules set by the government. Guests still have to get their visa from their local Nepali diplomatic mission prior to departure and a mandatory 7-day quarantine is still in place if you take a PCR on the 5th day (slightly different rules for those coming from a new variant country like the UK), but pressure on the Government to at least offer visas on arrival is mounting, so watch this space.
Weather wise the days are warming up nicely, but the mornings and evenings are still bitterly cold. Last week much of western and mid-western Nepal finally got its first snow of the year up high, relieving the drought, providing much needed moisture for the crops and dousing many of the wildfires that have been ravaging the countryside. Kathmandu and lower areas saw some rain, but not nearly enough to quench the thirst of the parched land and to settle the dust.
With the start of the spring season on the horizon there is hope in the industry of limited international business, as many are desperate to escape to the mountains and find their inner peace once again. Assuming that the global pandemic situation doesn’t take a turn for the worst again, the vaccination programmes continue to push forward and airlines are allowed to fly, the autumn looks to be even more hopeful, bringing employment and much needed funds back to those who work in the industry and have been without an income for what will have been a full year.
Is it responsible to travel at this time? It is our belief that it can be. If you are prepared to adapt to and respect the new normal, strictly follow safety guidelines and Government set protocols, travel considerately and with a high level of flexibility given the ever-changing scenarios and take responsibility for yourself and those around you, it is possible to travel responsibly.
If you choose to travel, we once again ask that you please do your due diligence on who you partner with here in Nepal. Ask difficult questions, research the ongoing situation over here, keep abreast of local news and regulations, be prepared to abide by the rules set by the government, especially the quarantine rule and only then make the decision whether to travel or not. Remember you are coming to Nepal because you love the country, its mountains, its culture and its people. Everyone has to play their role in maintaining the safety of those in whose country they will be a guest.
Get dreaming, start planning, the mountains are calling you.
Beautiful morning up in the mountains
Recent Comments