KATHMANDU, March 25: The Tribhuvan International Airport Civil Aviation Office (TIA CAO) has asked all its staffers to remain alert and prepared to operate flights at any time if needed.

The only international airport has been shut from Tuesday till March 31 on the direction of Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) – the civil aviation regulator and airport operator – as part of the government's preparedness to control COVID-19 outbreak in Nepal.

“Since all commercial flights have been suspended and some emergency flights may be operated, the concerned departments, division and sections will manage with required minimum manpower and remaining staffers will be on leave subject to be available as and when required, a statement issued by TIA CAO read. 

The airport authority has also directed its concerned units to keep all equipment/machineries in operating conditions. 

The statement added that Metropolitan Police Office, Kathmandu, will allow airport staff on duty to travel between the airport and their residence by showing their restricted area entry passes. 

Issuing a notice on Tuesday, CAAN also asked all its staffers to stay alert in case there is a need to operate flights to and from domestic airports. It has asked its employees to manage easy operation of flights in coordination with related bodies. 

Though both domestic and international flights in Nepal have been suspended, CAAN said emergency flights have to be operated given the gravity of the situation. “For which we have asked all stakeholders to stay alert and make arrangements accordingly,” it added in the notice.

It has directed chiefs of all its units and departments to make needful arrangements so that employees can work from home. “The communication regarding the coordination and flow of decision with airline companies and other bodies are to take place through the official email id that the CAAN has provided,” it said.

CAAN has also asked all its employees to remain in touch with their department heads and follow the directives accordingly. It also reminded staff on duty to take precautionary measures as advised by the Ministry of Health and Population to avoid transmission of the virus. “The staff, who will be staying home should follow social distancing and should not go out unless it is for essential supplies during the lockdown,” it added.

Since all commercial flights have been suspended, CAAN has stated that a special authorization is required to operate any passenger evacuation flight, rescue flight, freighter flights or other emergency flights effective from Tuesday till March 31. Similarly, all domestic flights, except those specified by CAAN, has been suspended for a week starting Tuesday, following the announcement of lockdown by the government on Monday evening.

 
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