Important Security Announcement for American Citizens in Nepal

January 9, 2009

The Embassy has confirmed with the Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) in Kathmandu that the Nepal Hotel and Restaurant Workers’ Association (NHRWA) affiliated with the  Maoists Union has called for an indefinite Hotel and Restaurant closure in Pokhara.   The NTB reports that NHRWA has demanded from their employers payment of the minimum wage recently set by a government decision, and threatened to continue with the strike until their demands are met.

A reliable source states that hotels and restaurants located in and around lakeside are being forced to close and tourists are being barred from eating in restaurants.  While we have no reports of Americans being directly targeted in the closure, there is a possibility that violent demonstrations and clashes between the police and the agitators might occur, creating an unruly environment.  Americans are strongly advised to defer any non-essential travel to Pokhara until things return to normal.  Americans currently in Pokhara are advised to exercise caution, maintain a low profile and monitor the situation closely.  

NTB also urges Americans in Pokhara to contact their office and the Tourist Police office in Pokhara for more updated information or assistance.  Their contact phone numbers are respectively 061-535292 for NTB, and 061-462761 for tourist police.  You can also contact NTB’s Crisis Management Cell in Kathmandu at 4225709.

For additional information, please refer to "A Safe Trip Abroad" found at http://travel.state.gov. Americans living or traveling in Nepal are encouraged to register with the U.S. Embassy through the State Department's travel registration website travelregistration.state.gov/ibrs/ui/  The Consular Section of the U.S. Embassy in Kathmandu is located at Maharajgunj.  The telephone number is 977-1-4007200, 4007201.  The number for after-hours emergencies is 977-1-4007266,4007269.  The fax number is 977-1-4007281.  The Consulate's e-mail address is consktm@state.gov and its Internet web page is http://nepal.usembassy.gov  U.S. citizens should also consult the Department of State's latest Travel Warning for Nepal, Country Specific Information for Nepal, and the Worldwide Caution, available at http://travel.state.gov/.  Up-to-date information on security can also be obtained by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll free in the United States and Canada or, for callers outside the United States and Canada, a regular toll line at 1-202-501-4444.  These numbers are available from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays).