Both Nepal and China closed the mountain to foreign climbers last year because of the pandemic.
Nepal has allowed in foreign climbers this season despite a surging Covid-19 outbreak, and at least one climber, a Norwegian, confirmed last month he had contracted the virus.
Nepal mountaineering officials have denied any outbreak on the mountain, citing only altitude sickness and other ailments common in the cold, harsh, low-oxygen environment where climbers stay in close quarters.
This week, the Himalayan nation halted all flights as part of a strict lockdown of its capital and major cities amid its recent surge.
Strict social distancing will be in place for the climb (Dominic Lipinski/PA)
2021/05/07 14:22 FILE - In this May 16, 2020, file photo released by Xinhua News Agency, Chinese surveyors hike toward a higher spot from the base camp on Mount Qomola. FILE - In this May 16, 2020, file photo released by Xinhua News Agency, Chinese surveyors hike toward a higher spot from the base camp on Mount Qomolangma at an altitude of 5,200 meters. China has opened the spring Everest claiming season from the northern approach amid strict measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19. A total of 38 people have been issued permits to climb the world’s highest peak, known as Qomolongma in Tibetan, between March 31 and May 20, state media reported Friday, May 7, 2021. (Jigme Dorje/Xinhua via AP, File)
Tibet kicks off spring climbing season with COVID precautions
1 2021-05-07 08:16:56China Daily
Editor : Li Yan
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Climbers ascend Luodui Mountain, whose altitude is 6,100 meters in Tibet s Damshung county. (Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn)
The Tibet autonomous region has beefed up efforts to ensure the safety of its spring climbing activities, including more measures to curb the risk of COVID-19 infections, according to Tibet Sports, the official WeChat account of the Tibet Sports Bureau.
During this year s spring climbing season, between March 31 and May 20, a total of 38 people have been allowed to climb Qomolangma－known as Mount Everest in the West－from its northern side in China, said the bureau.
Both Nepal and China closed the mountain to foreign climbers last year because of the pandemic.
Nepal has allowed in foreign climbers this season despite a surging Covid-19 outbreak, and at least one climber, a Norwegian, confirmed last month he had contracted the virus.
Nepal mountaineering officials have denied any outbreak on the mountain, citing only altitude sickness and other ailments common in the cold, harsh, low-oxygen environment where climbers stay in close quarters.
This week, the Himalayan nation halted all flights as part of a strict lockdown of its capital and major cities amid its recent surge.
Strict social distancing will be in place for the climb (Dominic Lipinski/PA)
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