July 30: Hotels and restaurants have formally reopened from today after the government lifted a ban on operating hotel industry effective from July 30.

Trekking agencies, travel and expedition companies have resumed their service targeting the peak season. However, the hotel entrepreneurs are worried about the uncertainty of the protocol set by the health ministry. They say that the government has not made any clear criteria regarding foreign tourists and therefore they are a little hesitant. The government has not set clear criteria about handling the foreign visitors after PCR test. They argue that the foreign tourists do not visit Nepal to stay in quarantine for 14 days. But the government is not clear about this provision, informed Srijana Rana, president of Hotel Association of Nepal.

Although the protocol issued by the ministry has defined the dos and don’ts for hotels, restaurants, airline companies and all the businesses associated with tourists, it doesn’t mention anything about tourists.

Senior Vice President of HAN Binayak Shah says tourists cannot visit Nepal in this context even if they are willing to come here.