Mount Everest closed for climbers because of coronavirus fears

Nepal has closed all of its Himalayan peaks including Mount Everest this climbing season because of fears of the coronavirus outbreak, Tourism Minister Yogesh Bhattarai said.

According to him, expeditions to all peaks in the March-May spring season had been suspended. "Climbing this season has been closed," Reuters cited Bhattarai as saying.

China also announced the closure of its side of the mountain on Thursday.

The suspension of expeditions in Nepal will affect hundreds of foreign climbers now preparing for the spring season, a window or relatively good weather between the end of the bitterly cold winter and the rainy season, which begins in June.