Covid 19 coronavirus: China cancels Everest climbs over fears of virus from Nepal

China has cancelled attempts to climb Mount Everest from its side of the world's highest peak. Photo / AP

China has cancelled attempts to climb Mount Everest from its side of the world's highest peak because of fears of importing Covid-19 cases from neighbouring Nepal, state media reports.

The closure was confirmed in a notice today from China's General Administration of Sport, the official Xinhua News Agency said.

The move reflects the abundance of caution China has taken in dealing with the pandemic. While China has mostly curbed domestic transmission of the coronavirus, Nepal is experiencing a surge, with record numbers of new infections and deaths.

China had issued permits to 38 people, all Chinese citizens, to climb the 8849-metre mountain this spring. Nepal has given permission to 408 people. Climbing was not allowed from either side last year because of the pandemic.

Army personnel in PPE suits prepare the bodies of Covid-19 victims for cremation in Kathmandu, Nepal on May 7. Photo / AP

In Nepal, several climbers have reported testing positive for Covid-19 after they were brought down from the Everest base camp.

The month of May usually has the best weather for climbing Everest. Scores have reached the summit this week and more are expected to make attempts later this month once the weather improves. Two climbers have died on the Nepalese side, one Swiss and one American.

China earlier said it would set up a separation line at the peak and prohibit people on its side from coming into contact with anyone on the Nepalese side. It was unclear how that would be done.