Spring climbing season at Everest canceled due to virus

摘要

Nepal's government announced today that it was suspending climbing permits for Mount Everest and all of theother peaks in the country due to concern over the spread of the coronavirus.The decision effectively shuts down the world's tallest mountain since China already closed its side of Everestover similar fears. Everest straddles the border between Nepal and China and can be climbed from both sides.Shutting down the popular spring climbing season across the country was a precautionary measure to block anypossibility of the spread of the virus, said Surendra Thapa, an official with Nepal's Department of Tourism, whichissues climbing permits.The government also said that it was canceling all visas on arrival for tourists and that those arriving afterSaturday would be subject to 14 days of self-quarantine. Visitors will also no longer be able to enter through landborders and must travel through the only international airport, which is situated in the capital, Kathmandu.