China reaches peak Covid-19 prevention with Everest ‘separation line’

Name: ‘India is a horrifying preview,’ says Red Cross as Nepal’s Covid-19 cases rise
Uploaded: 2021-05-10T14:45:06.000Z
Duration: 3 min 12 s
Description: ‘India is a horrifying preview,’ says Red Cross as Nepal’s Covid-19 cases rise

Authorities in Tibet say measures will be put in place to stop transmission of the coronavirus at the summit

Climbers will be stopped from having contact with mountaineers from the Nepal side, where there is a massive outbreak of Covid-19

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Guides aim to prevent climbers ascending Mount Everest from the Chinese side from mingling at the summit with those on the Nepalese side. Photo: Xinhua

Linda Lew

Published: 10:45pm, 10 May 2021Updated: 12:04am, 11 May 2021

China will set up a “separation line” on the world’s highest peak to prevent transmission between climbers after a cluster of Covid-19 cases was reported at a base camp in neighbouring Nepal.

The mountaineering management bureau of the Tibet autonomous region and local authorities said strict measures would be in place for the 2021 Everest climbing season to prevent Covid-19 infections, according to state news agency Xinhua.

“Because the northern and southern routes of ascent are different, there’s no infection risks there. The most important focus for preventing transmissions will be at the summit,” Nimaciren, head of the Tibetan autonomous region’s sports bureau, was quoted as saying.

The official said that before commercial climbers began the last push to the summit, a small team of Tibetan guides would go ahead to set up the line and prevent contact with climbers from the Nepal side. Contact with items left by those from the other side such as the traditional ceremonial scarf khata, will also be banned, according to Nimaciren.

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‘India is a horrifying preview,’ says Red Cross as Nepal’s Covid-19 cases rise

“Our guides and climbers will be wearing one-piece climbing suits, mountaineering goggles and oxygen masks. This gear can act as protection [against the virus],” the official was quoted as saying.