(14 Mar 2020) Nepal's government announced on Friday that it was suspending climbing permits for Mount Everest and all other peaks in the country due to concern over the spread of the coronavirus.
The decision effectively shuts down the world's tallest mountain since China already closed its side of Everest over similar fears.
Dandu Raj Ghimire, Ministry of Tourism official, said the decision was made to ensure safety of the Nepali population.
Mountaineering business owner Ang Tshering was disappointed with the decision telling the Associated Press he felt mountaineers were "strong people" and had a "higher capability to resist infections and sickness".
Tshering said it would also be easy to screen expedition members because the numbers were " quite manageable".
Nepal so far has had one confirmed case of the virus.
The Nepali student who returned home for a holiday from China has already recovered.
The country has eight of the highest peaks in the world and the adventurers who head to the country to climb them are a significant source of revenue.
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