17/03/2020
Hi Everyone,
I wanted to take a moment to let you know the situation in Nepal. I've written a full update in the link below. Here's a summary.
Currently, Nepal has suspended all tourist on arrival visas. Meaning the only way you can enter is by going to your home country embassy with a certificate saying you are COVID-19 free, getting to Nepal and then spending 14 days in home quarantine - it's not a very feasible nor enjoyable procedure!
Furthermore, Nepal has also suspended restricted area trekking permits.
There are many tourists in Nepal at the moment. Some by choice, some can't get flights out or can't enter other countries due to restrictions. I'm currently trying to find out how long they can extend their visas. Nepal has a 5-month visa allowance, so for most, they should be ok!
Each of us, no matter where we are will be going through different difficulties, situations and solutions.
Nepal is preparing isolation wards in Kathmandu and Pokhara. So far, it seems like there is no viral community outbreak in Nepal. However, there are also very few testing kits.
In light of this, I would recommend if you are in Nepal, to act responsibly. Up in the mountains, there are few to no medical facilities. People are vulnerable. Personally, I would not go trekking at this time to protect villagers and local people from a virus they have little treatment for - even paracetamol is difficult to get in many places.
Let's just view the mountains from a distance, for now.
Now, on to the future! There is one. We will get through this. The news and media are negative and everything seems like despair at the moment.
In my life, I've come up against, malaria, dengue, H1N1, Swine flu, colon disease, riots, border closures, terrorism, kidnapping attempts, shootings, bombs, car crashes, bus crashes, a plane's engine breaking down mid-flight, emergency rule and indeed viral outbreaks! That's off the top of my head .... it's a long list. And, I'm still here. We have nothing to fear, but fear itself seems quite prevalent at the moment. A level head will help us all through this.
I'm looking at the news in South Korea and Singapore rather than China or Europe or the USA. South Korea was hit badly, and the infection numbers over the past two days have been improving. Singapore, had been doing very well. This is good news. Looking to the future I have a calculated mindset that things will clear up and get better.
I know places like Facebook or other social media sites are filled with "experts", gossip and rumors. I find it addictive too. But I am forcing myself not to look these posts. I want calculable facts rather than rumor. Facts make me feel reassured and in the know. Seeing South Korea, Hong Kong, and Singapore dealing with things does make me feel better and hopeful for the future.
In light of this, and the many people stuck in isolation I want to bring you a glimpse of what you can look forward to. Plan ahead. See other parts of the planet, learn about others, explore the world through your screens for now. It's out there still. We are out there in it. Soon we will all be able to visit it again together.
I plan to publish more of my journey and guides. I'll also publish past daily journals that you can read along with as a form of escapism from the four walls you are looking at these days! Not to mention, there'll be no mention of any pandemics or the like. If you'd like to skip ahead, try day zero on my blog page.
Meanwhile, stay safe, protect others by staying safe and be prepared for a bright future!
https://www.thelongestwayhome.com/blog/nepal/coronavirus-in-nepal-covid-19-updates/
Traveling to Nepal? Get the latest information about the Coronavirus NOVID-19. Is Nepal safe to travel, what preventative measures do you need to take and more
