LHASA: The Tibet autonomous region has beefed up efforts to ensure the safety of its spring climbing activities, including more measures to curb the risk of COVID-19 infections, according to Tibet Sports, the official WeChat account of the Tibet Sports Bureau. During this year’s spring climbing season, between March 31 and May 20, a total of 38 people have been allowed to climb Qomolangma－known as Mount Everest in the West－from its northern side in China, said the bureau.
Approval for the 38 to climb the world’s highest mountain was made following an inspection by the General Administration of Sport.
All the climbers are from areas of China that are at low risk of COVID-19. To prevent any possible risk of infection, the climbers were put under strict management and received three temperature checks each day they stayed in Lhasa, capital of Tibet.
Nyima Tsering, head of the bureau, said it set up a special group to prevent the potential risks of an outbreak among climbers, as well as handle emergency cases and protect the environment in the area.
He added that in order to prevent climbers from Qomolangma’s northern side, in China, from meeting those from the southern side, in Nepal, the Chinese side would “pay close attention to the climbing schedule of the Nepalese side”.
“All the climbers are required to keep a personal distance of at least 4 meters after ascending to the summit of Qomolangma, which is a measure to prevent the risk of infection,” he said.
All climbers are required to wear oxygen masks, which can protect their health while also supplying oxygen to them, he added. – Agencies
