Kathmandu, March 22:  It has been decided to show a red flag to all international flights in the country from this midnight till the next nine days bearing in mind a global pandemic of COVID-19.    

The regulatory body Civil Aviation Authority on Saturday issued an urgent notice deciding to close the entire international flight schedules beginning from 23:59 pm today to the midnight of March 31. The decision follows the government's earlier announcement towards that end.    

However, there will be no impact of the decision on those international passengers from Nepal, air ambulance, cargo flights and essential flights.    

It may be noted that Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli in his address in the name of nation on March 20 had announced the closure of all international arriving flights from March 22 to Arpil 3.    

CAAN Director General Rajan Pokhrel said no planes carrying international passengers will be allowed to land at TIA from this midnight. However, airplanes sans passenger (s) are permitted to arrive.    

The domestic flight schedule is remained unaffected by the latest decision.    

At usual time, 30 airlines companies including three domestic operate international flights from the country's sole international airport and 19 airlines companies including 10 helicopters provide services towards domestic category.