Five-day hotel quarantine for Nepali migrants from Malaysia, Gulf

Migrant workers returning from Malaysia and the Gulf countries have to stay in hotel quarantine only for five days. This new measure has been introduced as the government expects migrant workers to come to Nepal because flights to China, Turkey and Qatar have been allowed.

Those migrant workers who have returned by fulfilling all the necessary health protocols must mandatorily stay in five-day hotel quarantine. After staying in five-day hotel quarantine, the workers will have to undergo a PCR test. If the report of the PCR test is negative then they will be allowed to go to their destinations but will have to stay in 10-day quarantine.

Meanwhile, other Nepali citizens and foreigners must compulsorily stay in 10-day hotel quarantine. The Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation has said that such passengers must also furnish a negative PCR report for a test conducted within 72 hours of arrival. Moreover, the travellers must also show proof that they have booked a hotel room for 10 days for the quarantine purpose. Meanwhile, the travellers arriving by air have to bear the cost of the 10-day quarantine themselves.

The ministry has also mentioned that after the 10-day quarantine, those passengers showing symptoms of the coronavirus will have to undergo a PCR test. If the report turns out to be positive then the concerned person must stay for a further 10 days in an isolation centre, hospital or a hotel fixed by the hotel. After this only will the passenger be allowed to proceed to their destination.

Meanwhile, those passengers who have come to Nepal to attend the final rites of their family members will be allowed to go to their destinations but they will have to have a recommendation from their local representative stating the purpose. Such persons must also stay in 10-day home quarantine.

Passengers who have long-term illnesses or are physically weak or are accompanying their sick relatives will be allowed to proceed to their destinations but they must furnish a health report from the hospital and a recommendation letter from their local representative. They will have to stay in 10-day home quarantine. Senior citizens above 75 years and children below five years and their guardians will also be allowed to go to their destinations after they show a recommendation letter from the local representative. They too must stay in 10-day home quarantine.

Meanwhile, diplomats, staff of diplomatic missions and their family members will be allowed to proceed to their destinations on the recommendation of their respective diplomatic missions.