Coronavirus: Tourists stranded in Asia by canceled flights, shut borders

Airlines cancel flights and countries close their borders in the fight against COVID-19

Published: March 27, 2020 14:40 Compiled by Nathaniel Lacsina, Digital Content Producer

1 of 11

From the sun-soaked beaches of Thailand to the foothills of Mount Everest in Nepal, tourists across Asia are finding their dream vacations have turned into travel nightmares as airlines cancel flights and countries close their borders in the fight against the coronavirus pandemic. Image Credit: AP

2 of 11

Thousands of tourists escaping cold weather in Europe were scrambling this week to find alternative ways to return home from the Thai island of Phuket in the Adaman Sea. Image Credit: AP

3 of 11

Thailand went under a state of emergency this week as the government gives itself new powers to deal with the virus crisis. The country, which last year welcomed 39 million tourists, announced it was closing its borders to nearly all foreigners. Its national airline, Thai Airways, said it was suspending almost all of its flights. Image Credit: AP

4 of 11

It's a trend seen around the region and the world. The Airports Council International Asia-Pacific said Friday that 12 major hubs in Asia-Pacific had seen an average decrease in air traffic of more than 80% in the second week of March versus the same period last year. Image Credit: AP

5 of 11

Up to 10,000 tourists are believed to be stranded in Nepal after the government ordered a complete lockdown that halted all flights and road travel to prevent the spread of the virus, the country's tourism board said. Most businesses and government offices were also shut. Image Credit: AP

6 of 11

Spring is the tourist season for Nepal when thousands of visitors come to hike the mountain trails. At the Lukla Airport, the only gateway to the Mount Everest region, there were more than 200 trekkers stranded, according to Dhurba Shrestha, an airport official. Even if the highways were open, the closest road is three days trek downhill. Image Credit: Reuters

7 of 11

Officials were working on arrangements of special flights to at least get tourists back to the capital, Kathmandu. The German government on Friday arranged a rescue flight _ a Qatar Airways charter _ that left the capital with 305 people on board, mostly German nationals. Image Credit: AP

8 of 11

In Kathmandu's tourist enclave, visitors could still be found wandering around empty streets. A handful of restaurants and hotels were still open, but most shops were shuttered. Police were blocking locals from moving around but not tourists. Image Credit: AP

9 of 11

In Indonesia, more than 2,500 foreign tourists were stranded in Bali, the most famous of the country's more than 17,000 islands. The government has granted all tourists automatic visa extensions, a move made after long lines formed at immigration offices. Image Credit: AP

10 of 11

Visitors to Thailand haven't been so lucky. Hundreds of tourists seeking visa extensions were crowded Friday under a row of awnings next to a makeshift immigration office that's been set up on the outskirts of Bangkok after throngs formed at the main building. Image Credit: AP

11 of 11

There wasn't enough room for the tourists to keep their distance and stay in the shade so most were pressed up almost against one another. Image Credit: AP

Photos News

Coronavirus: Tourists stranded in Asia by canceled flights, shut borders

More From Photos

Photos: Tensions rise as US pro-Palestinian student protests spread

Look: Our amazing Earth seen from above

Photos: UAE President receives Sultan of Oman

Photos: Spanish hospital enlists therapy dogs to boost ICU patients' morale

GULFNEWS SECTIONS

Trending

Coronavirus: Tourists stranded in Asia by canceled flights, shut borders

More From Photos

Photos: Tensions rise as US pro-Palestinian student protests spread

Look: Our amazing Earth seen from above

Photos: UAE President receives Sultan of Oman

Photos: Spanish hospital enlists therapy dogs to boost ICU patients' morale

GULFNEWS SECTIONS