China will set up a “separation line” on the peak of Mount Everest to avoid possible Covid-19 infections by climbers from virus-hit Nepal, state media reported, after dozens were taken ill from the summit’s base camp.
While the virus first emerged in China in late 2019, it has largely been brought under control in the country through a series of strict lockdowns and border closures.
Over 30 sick climbers were evacuated from base camp on the Nepalese side of the world’s highest peak in recent weeks as Nepal faces a deadly second wave, raising fears that the virus might ruin a bumper climbing season.
Mount Everest straddles the China-Nepal border, with the north slope belonging to China.
Tibetan authorities told reporters at a press conference they would take the “most stringent epidemic prevention measures” to keep away from contact between climbers on the north and south slopes or on the high, reported the official Xinhua information company on Sunday.
Mountain guides will set up dividing strains on the summit of the mountain earlier than permitting mountaineers to begin the grueling climb up, the pinnacle of the Tibet Mountaineering Association was quoted as saying by Xinhua.
The official didn’t present particulars on what the dividing strains could be fabricated from.
Twenty-one Chinese climbers have been accredited to climb to the summit of Everest this 12 months after having quarantined in Tibet since early April, the official added.
The Chinese aspect can even step up virus management measures on the Chinese base camp on the northern aspect of the mountain, with non-climber vacationers within the Everest scenic space forbidden to enter.
China has banned international nationals from climbing Everest since final 12 months due to the virus outbreak.
But this 12 months Nepal has issued a file variety of climbing permits to try to increase guests after its tourism business suffered a devastating blow by way of 2020 from the pandemic.
An Everest allow alone from Nepal prices $11,000 and climbers pay upward of $40,000 for an expedition.
More than a thousand individuals are usually camped on the bustling tent metropolis on the foot of Everest on the Nepalese aspect at anyone time, together with international climbers and the groups of Nepali guides that escort them to the height.
In the final three weeks, Nepal’s each day case trajectory has shot up with two out of 5 individuals examined now returning constructive as infections spill over from neighbouring India’s lethal second wave.
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