Nepal is under political turmoil and unrest after two days of street clashes between anti-government protestors and authorities led to protests that got out of hand. The protests resulted in the prime minister being forced out of office, and at least 30 people were killed.
As a response to the events, a nationwide curfew was put in place on Wednesday. The U.S. has raised its travel warning to a Level 3, and gives details on what tourists should know before traveling to Nepal or are already in the country.
What to Know
On the U.S. International Travel site, a travel advisory was put in place on Thursday, September 11, and given an orange Level 3 notice of “Reconsider Travel.” The site reports that those considering traveling to Neal should reconsider due to “civil unrest.”
- On September 8 and 9, large protests and significant demonstrations turned violent. It resulted in 30 deaths, with 19 of them by security forces responding to the anti-government demonstrations.
- The protests were led by what are called Nepal’s Gen Z, made up of young adults and teens who are against the country’s corruption, unemployment, and inequality.
- Local authorities issued curfews in major cities like Kathmandu and Pokhara. They advise travelers to be aware that more protests could happen without warning.
- In addition, they advise travellers to stay away from areas where protests occurred, or areas of unrest or with large gatherings.
Emergency Services for Travelers
Unclear on whether protests will continue and dealing with the aftermath of recent events, the U.S. warns travelers that emergency services in Nepal are limited in responding to personal emergencies. Hotels in Kathmandu and Pokhara were set on fire during the protests. They advice travelers to check in with their hotels and airlines for the latest information amd confrimd their flight plans before departure.
The following safety measures are for travelers who decide to travel or are already in the country:
- Plan to leave in the case of an emergency that does not depend on U.S. goverment help. Prepare to evacuate your hotel at any momenr and follow the instructions of local authorities.
- Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP), which allows for the latest updates from the U.S. embassy or consulate. It also allows the embassy or consulate to contact you in the case of an emergency.
- Review the Country Security Report for Nepal and follow the International Travel Checklist.
- They also recommend purchasing travel insurance and speaking with a provider to learn more about evacuation assistance, medical insurance, and trip cancellation coverage.
For now, travelers going to Nepal should be vigilant, whether going through the affected areas or in areas nearby.
