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Mark Agnew

The Nepalese government announced on Friday it will cancel all climbing permits for Everest as coronavirus continues to spread. The news follows China’s decision earlier this week to shut the Tibetan side of the mountain for the climbing season for the same reason.
Climbing permits distributed for between March 14 and April 30 have been revoked.
Climbers often climb Everest towards the end of May, but expeditions typically arrive at base camp weeks in advance.
“We have decided to halt all tourist visas until 30 April,” said Narayan Prasad Bidari, secretary of the prime minister’s office. 
“As of now, all issued permits and permits yet to be issued for the 2020 Everest season will be cancelled.”




















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With the #EVEREST being CLOSED due to the corona epidemic ..yes the mountain will get a break and it's much deserved rest, but for the sherpas and communities who earn their living from the perilous work of guiding adventurers to the summit, it is difficult . There are tens of thousands of people in the region who solely depend on the trekkers and mountaineers for their income. If they don't come, these people and their families will starve. A sherpa who summits on Everest is looking at making a minimum wage for 60 days' work. That's a lot of money in Nepal - it can support an entire village.' Keep a look out for NGO initiatives that will help villages survive @khumbuclimbingcenter #surviving a season #climbers #nepal #ngo #sherpa #gurkhas #guides #families
A post shared by Maithili (@maitlis) on Mar 12, 2020 at 8:12pm PDT



A Nepalese climbing permit for Everest costs around US$11,000 (HK$85,000), and in addition climbers typically pay guides and expedition companies between US$20,000 and US$50,000 for assisting them.
Coronavirus started in Wuhan, China, but has quickly spread around the world. There are now more than 80,000 reported cases in China, and there have been over 3,000 related deaths.
The country with the next most infections is Italy, with over 15,000 cases and 1,000 deaths.
There are travel bans to and from the most effected countries and hardly any flights are entering mainland China currently, but Nepal, for now, is not subject to travel bans.
Adrian Ballinger, a Chinese-side Everest guide, posted on Instagram: “While I am saddened for all the hard work our members, guides, Sherpa, local staff, partners and office have put in, and that they and we will not get to test ourselves on the highest playground in the world this year, I am in agreement with China’s decision.”


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Climbing and mountaineering

Nepal closes Everest due to coronavirus; follows China’s lead in shutting Tibetan side

The busy slopes of Everest will be quiet this climbing season. Photo: AP

Nepal and China are preventing climbers attempting to summit Everest due to coronavirus. Photo: Frank Bienewald/LightRocket

China closes Everest amid coronavirus as climbing season approaches, but Nepal’s side remains open

No one will climb Everest from the Chinese side this spring as the coronavirus spreads. Photo: Agence France-Presse

The Nepalese side of the mountain is still open for expeditions. Photo: Agence France-Presse

How will coronavirus affect the Everest climbing season? Nepal will go ahead, China is a logistical challenge but possible

It will still be possible to climb Everest this year despite the coronavirus outbreak. Photo: AP

No travellers seen queuing to check in for a HK Express flight at the Hong Kong International Airport, Chek Lap Kok, amid coronavirus outbreak. 25FEB20 SCMP / Winson Wong

FILE - In this May 27, 2019, file photo, birds fly as Mount Everest is seen from Namche Bajar, Solukhumbu district, Nepal. A Nepal government committee formed after a bad mountaineering season on Mount Everest has recommended new rules that would require climbers to have scaled tall peaks, undergone proper training, and possess certificates of good health and insurance that would cover rescue costs if required. A report by the committee released Wednesday, Aug. 15, says people must have successfully climbed a peak higher than 6,500 meters (21,320 feet) before they can apply for a permit to scale Mount Everest. Each climber would also be required to have a highly experienced guide. (AP Photo/Niranjan Shrestha, File)

Everest climbers will need a medical evaluation before scaling peak, says extreme sports rescue specialist

A photo of a traffic jam on Everest went viral and has sparked change in the way the Nepalese government plans to manage the mountain. Photo: AFP/@Nimsdai Project Possible

Global Rescue’s Matt Napiltonia, a senior operations specialist and former Navy SEAL, says the Nepalese government will require medical examinations for  climbing Everest.  Photo: Handout

Sport

Outdoor

Extreme Sports


The government has cancelled all climbing permits for the 2020 season as coronavirus continues to spread



The government has cancelled all climbing permits for the 2020 season as coronavirus continues to spread.
