Current Affairs

Issue

China will be implementing a “line of separation” at the top of Mt Everest to prevent transmission of Covid-19 infection in climbers.

 

Background

Nepal has seen its Covid-19 infection rates escalate. The infection has also reached the Mt Everest, forcing China to adopt the measure.

 

Details

• Mt Everest stands on the border between Nepal and China. It can be climbed from both sides. The two countries had jointly undertaken many missions.

• Nepal has failed to prevent the pandemic from reaching the base camp of Everest whereas the situation in China has returned to normalcy.

• The summer climbing season has not been suspended by Nepal. China has not allowed any foreign climbers to scale Everest since the pandemic.

 

Separating climbers

• China will send some of its climbing guides to set up a separation at the summit. This looks unnecessary considering the area on the summit.

• At a given time, only five to six members can stand at the summit. During busy hours, climbers get only a few minutes on top.

• Contact between climbers is highly unlikely due to thick clothing, gloves and oxygen masks. So the process of “line of separation” looks frivolous.