On 13 March 2020, Nepal announced it was suspending climbing permits for Mount Everest and all its other peaks for the spring season because of the spread of the coronavirus. China had already closed the north side of Everest. On 24 March 2020, Nepal began a nationwide lockdown, and international tourism stopped for months.
In short: Nepal suspended spring expeditions on 13 March 2020 and entered a nationwide lockdown on 24 March 2020, halting trekking and mountaineering and causing severe hardship for tourism workers.
Impact
Guides, porters, lodge owners and drivers lost their income almost overnight, and many returned to their villages. Climbing and trekking resumed gradually from 2021, and by 2023 the Everest season had recovered to record permit numbers.
Recovery
Today, tourism is again a key part of Nepal's economy. See our 2026 Everest season report.