KATHMANDU, Aug 29: The Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation (MoCTCA) has formed a taskforce to probe into the alleged carelessness shown by Air Arabia while conducting a repatriation flight from Sharjah on August 25.

The decision of the MoCTCA comes in the wake of complaints that the airlines had shown sheer carelessness while carrying out a repatriation flight to bring stranded Nepalis back home. Passengers complained that the airline company allowed a few passengers to board the plane even as they failed to produce PCR negative test certificates before boarding the aircraft, putting them in the risk of contracting COVID-19. The airline is also accused of not considering the hotel quarantine management process carefully.

According to the MoCTCA, the taskforce consisting of three members will be led by Director at the Department of Tourism Surendra Thapa. The taskforce formed after a decision made by the secretary-level meeting on Thursday has been entrusted with the responsibility to submit its report within three working days.  

The government has made it mandatory for passengers traveling from countries where PCR tests are accessible to obtain PCR negative test reports to minimize the risk of COVID-19 transmission while flying back home. And for those returning from countries where PCR tests are not accessible should stay in hotel quarantine on mandatory basis upon their arrival in Nepal. The airlines companies operating charter flights for Nepal have asked passengers to produce documents that show them negative to COVID-19.     

 
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