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Airlines have suspended flights in many countries around the world. The Asia Pacific International Airport Council reported that air traffic at 12 major airports in the region was more than 80% lower in the second week of March compared to the same period last year.
In Nepal, around 10,000 tourists are stranded as the government has ordered a temporary suspension of flights and road closures to curb the spread of Covid-19, according to figures from the country's Tourism Authority.
Spring is always the peak tourist season in Nepal, with visitors from all over the world flocking to the country.
Representatives from Lukla Airport, the only gateway to Everest, said that around 200 passengers are currently stranded there. Even traveling by highway, it would take tourists at least three days to reach the base of the mountain. The Nepalese government is arranging special flights to bring the stranded tourists to the capital Kathmandu and is continuing to work on alternative solutions.
On March 27, the German government dispatched a rescue flight to Nepal, bringing 305 people – mostly German citizens – back home.
In Kathmandu, a few hotels and restaurants remain open to serve tourists. Nepalese citizens are urged to limit their movements outdoors.
Meanwhile, Sri Lanka is prepared to assist around 18,000 tourists in returning home via operational flights or charter flights if necessary.
In Indonesia, more than 2,500 foreign tourists were stranded in Bali. Tourists were allowed to apply for visa extensions online instead of having to go in person to immigration offices. In contrast, hundreds of tourists in Thailand had to renew their visas in person at immigration offices. This raised concerns about the spread of the virus among tourists who did not maintain social distancing when gathering in large groups to complete the procedures.
Thailand has now announced the closure of its borders, severely restricting the entry of foreigners. Thai Airways has also suspended most flights.
Thailand declared a state of emergency last week to deal with the Covid-19 pandemic.
"We're worried our upcoming flight is highly likely to be cancelled and we'll have to stay in Thailand, while our group's Thai visas expire in mid-April," a Russian tourist told Time.
Currently, around 500,000 international tourists in Thailand may face visa overstay and be unable to return home due to lockdowns in European countries aimed at controlling the pandemic.
