On 11 March 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the COVID-19 outbreak a pandemic.
In response, the Nepal government suspended international flights from March 22th, and border crossings
from India and China from March 23th. On Tuesday, 24 March, Nepal initiated a nationwide lockdown, bringing the country to a halt.
After showing recent signs of recovery following the devastating 2015 earthquake and the subsequent border blockade by India, Nepal’s economy now faces new vulnerabilities. Along with the slowdown of domestic economic activity and the damage to tourism, remittance from overseas, which accounts for over a quarter of the country’s GDP, is likely to decrease. These pictures taken during the three months lockdown, shows Kathmandu’s streets and squares, previously hives of activity, but now deserted.