KATHMANDU: Fearing further spread of new Covid variant, Government of Nepal has restricted all arrivals from the United Kingdom until further notice.

In a press release issued by the Department of Immigration today, it was notified that all foreign arrivals from the UK to Nepal have been suspended indefinitely.

However, Nepali nationals and non-residential Nepalis (NRNs) upon obtaining permit from missions abroad can visit for emergency purposes.

The rule also applies to the people arriving via UK as a point of transit.

Likewise, the entry-exit points at the borders will continue to remain closed for foreign arrivals except for pre-approved entries.

It has been learnt that six people who had recently returned from the UK had tested positive for Covid-19 and the speculation that the three samples which had come out negative for the s-gene target were carrying the new variant, has been confirmed in Nepal.

Read here: Nepal confirms the first three cases of new Covid variant