China closed the accesses to Mount Everest due to the COVID-19 outbreak. (Image via ABC)

Top of the world closed amid COVID-19

Alfonsus Adi Putra
Social & Life
Travel
Mar 15, 2020
1328
China decided to temporarily close down the permit and the access to hiking Mount Everest to contain the novel coronavirus (COVID-19). The virus itself originated from Wuhan, Hubei Province, Central China. The decision came as the season of hiking in April is approaching.

According to the owner of the Mount Everest expedition company Furtenbach Adventures, Lukas Furtenbach, the Chinese government had closed the northern access to the tallest mountain the world. However, he said that he would struggle so that his clients can still climb Mount Everest from Nepal. While the route from Nepal is still available, some of the clients decided to cancel the hike.

For those who want to continue hiking, they are required to submit their 14-day prior travel records and a copy of their medical records. Another expedition company, Pioneer Adventure, said that from 23 hikers, there will be only 8 or 10 this year. The other expedition company, Alpenglow Expeditions, said that they had canceled all hiking schedule for the Everest.

The owner of Alpenglow Expeditions, Adrian Ballinger, supported China’s decision, hailing it as remarkably responsible. Adrian pointed out that climbing the highest mountain is not worth it amid the pandemic outbreak.

In 2019, about 885 hikers stood in line to climb the Everest, 644 from Nepal access, 241 from Northern Tibet.

Nepal recorded one positive case of COVID-19. They also complicate visa requirements for eight countries affected by the COVID-19. If they want to apply for it, they need to attach their medical records.

Source: https://bit.ly/3aVw6WE

Regulation , Travel , Leisure , Sports , Hiking , Asia , China , Mount-Everest , Nepal , Tibet , COVID-19