No coronavirus infection among members of Everest expedition: Tourism Ministry

KATHMANDU: Amidst media reports on members of different expedition team infected with the coronavirus, the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation (MoCTCA) has clarified that no cases of infection has been noticed among members of expedition team in the Everest Base Camp (EBC).

Issuing a press statement, the Ministry objected different media reports that some members of the Everest expedition teams for the spring season had been infected with the coronavirus.

“Members of the Everest expedition are safe and have not been caught with the coronavirus and EBC is safe by all means,” said the Ministry.

As per MoCTCA,  774 people of 86 expedition teams from 79 countries have acquired permission for climbing Everest this season. The expedition team is following standard health safety protocols, said the Ministry.

Expedition for this season had officially kicked off with Kami Rita Sherpa successfully reaching the top of Everest on Friday (May 7) as a leader of rope fixing team, along with 11 other Sherpas.