The second wave of COVID in Nepal has almost subsided with low cases each day with the ongoing vaccination drive. With the declining cases in the country, especially the Kathmandu valley, the government has relaxed the restrictions. In Addition to the new orders, the government has also opened the international flights from 24th June while the domestic flights will resume from 1 July 2021 with necessary COVID-19 related restrictions in place.

The new orders have been taken positively as it welcomes the much awaited domestic flights to resume operation from 1 July while international flights have already resumed from 24 June 2021. The government has also decided to resume regular international flights to and from Kathmandu in limited destinations only taking all health measures required.

According to the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers, domestic flights will be allowed to operate with 50 per cent seat occupancy only to help contain the possible spread of COVID-19, while international flights will be operated as per the safety protocol developed earlier by the government.

With the new decisions in place, Nepal Airlines and Qatar Airways will be allowed to operate two flights each a week in Kathmandu-Doha sector. Similarly, the government has decided to allow four flights a week in the Kathmandu-Doha sector, Kathmandu-Kuala Lumpur sector, two flights a week in the Kathmandu-Istanbul sector, Kathmandu-Dammam and Kathmandu-Kuwait sectors. Among other sectors, the government has also allowed operating one flight a week in Kathmandu-Muscat, Kathmandu- Seoul, Kathmandu-Japan, Kathmandu-Chengdu and Kathmandu-Guangzhou sectors. This is an extremely welcoming news to all travelers.

The daily lives of the citizens are slowly but steadily returning back to normal. The vaccination programs are being announced, the testing centers have been increased while the health and safety awareness campaigns have been launched expansively.