Nepal casinos reopen after 18-month closure

According to the Kathmandu Post, Nepal’s casinos were granted permission to reopen following 18 months of closed doors due to COVID-19. This follows recent decisions by the Nepal government to allow businesses to open pending implementation of health and safety protocols and the lifting of all restrictions on tourism for fully vaccinated travellers. “The casinos are allowed to resume operations in line with the decision of the Kathmandu district administration office to permit business and social activities by following health safety protocols,” a Tourism Ministry spokesperson said. The Nepal Independent Hotel, Casino & Restaurant Workers’ Union says that several casinos have already reopened. Nepal’s casino industry is said to employ around 15,000 workers, most of whom have been furloughed for the past 18 months.