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Health Alert – U.S. Embassy, Kathmandu, Nepal
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10 MINUTE READ
March 23, 2020

Location:  Nepal Countrywide

Event:  COVID-19 Response

The Government of Nepal has issued a complete lock down order for Kathmandu Valley effective from 0600 tomorrow (March 24, 2020) until midnight of March 31, 2020.  Per the order all residents and visitors in Kathmandu are required to remain in their place of residence.  All movement on the roads, by vehicle and on foot, is currently prohibited with very limited life safety exceptions.  Initial inquires with the Nepal Police indicate this travel ban is equally applicable to all vehicles including diplomatic vehicles.  Similar orders are in effect in other provinces in Nepal.

All Embassy personnel have been instructed to remain in their residences until further notice.  The Embassy’s ability to provide consular services will be extremely limited.

The Department of State has issued a Global Level 4 Health Advisory for COVID-19.

At this time flight availability at Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) is uncertain.  Indications at the time of this writing are that flights are canceled for March 24.  Attempt to contact airline offices for updated flight information.  Inquiries may also be referred to the Immigration Office at TIA at +977 1-411-3045.  Also see http://www.nepalimmigration.gov.np/ and http://caanepal.gov.np/ for possible updates.

Information will be posted to the Embassy’s Facebook and Twitter feeds as well as the Embassy’s website as it becomes available.  The U.S. Embassy reminds all U.S. citizens in Nepal to register through the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP).  STEP is a free service to help the U.S. Embassy contact American citizens in an emergency.

If you are exhibiting signs or symptoms of COVID-19, please contact the Nepal Ministry of Health’s hotline at 9851255839; 9851255837; 9851255834 from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.

For other telephone inquiries for the Department of State, please call +1-888-407-4747 (from the U.S. and Canada) and +1-202-501-4444 (from overseas). 

Actions to Take:

  • Inquire with the Government of Nepal’s Immigration Office at Tribhuvan International Airport at +977 1-411-3045 on travel policy questions.
  • Check with airlines regarding any flight cancellations and/or restrictions on flying.
  • Consult the Government of Nepal’s Ministry of Health and Population websitefor the latest updates on the health situation in Nepal.
  • Consult the Government of Nepal’s Immigration Department websitefor the latest updates about immigration restrictions in Nepal.
  • Visit the U.S. Embassy websiteon COVID-19 for information on conditions in Nepal.
  • Consult the CDC website, for the most up-to-date information regarding enhanced screening procedures.
  • For the most recent information on what you can do to reduce your risk of contracting COVID-19, please see the CDC’s latest recommendations.
  • Visit the COVID-19 crisis page on travel.state.govfor the latest information.
  • Visit the Department of Homeland Security’s websiteon the latest travel restrictions to the United States.
  • Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.  Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer if soap and water are not available.
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands.
  • Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
  • Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve (not your hands) when coughing or sneezing. 

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