Two Indian Nationals Test Positive for COVID-19 at Birgunj Border

Two Indian citizens tested positive for COVID-19 at the health screening desk on the Nepal–India border in Birgunj. According to Suman Chandra Thakur, an official from the Health Division of Birgunj Metropolitan City, both infected individuals are Indian males.

“Both were found COVID-positive while attempting to enter Nepal,” said Thakur. “One was from Motihari in Bihar and was attending a wedding, while the other, from Chauradano, was heading to Bardibas for employment.”

Health authorities confirmed that both individuals have been sent back to India after testing positive.

Limited Testing Capacity Raises Alarm

Thakur informed that the health desk received 20 COVID-19 test kits from the Division of Epidemiology and Disease Control, Kathmandu, during the first week of Asar (mid-June 2025). The desk had remained kitless since Falgun 13, 2080 B.S. (February 25, 2024) when previous supplies ran out.

With only 20 test kits available, testing is limited to individuals showing symptoms such as fever and cold, as per the government’s directive. All kits have already been used.

The growing COVID-19 outbreak in India and the limited testing capacity at this major transit point make Nepal increasingly vulnerable to virus transmission via this entry.

COVID-19 Resurgence After Three Years

For nearly three years, the Birgunj border health desk had not recorded any COVID-19 cases. Testing had been suspended entirely for the past 16 months due to a lack of kits.

During Nepal’s previous COVID-19 waves, most infections identified at the Birgunj border were from Indian citizens entering the country for labor, business, tourism, or pilgrimage.

Given historical trends of simultaneous outbreaks in India and Nepal, health officials suspect a rise in Nepal’s COVID-19 cases is likely imminent due to India’s fifth wave of the virus.

High Risk Due to Direct Rail Links

Birgunj shares close proximity with Raxaul, which has direct train connections to major Indian cities including Delhi, Kolkata, Mumbai, and Varanasi. This facilitates high-volume cross-border travel, further increasing the risk of infection entering Nepal.

In previous waves, early COVID-19 cases were traced to travelers from Kolkata, Delhi, and Ghaziabad. Eventually, infections were reported from nearly every Indian state.

Upcoming Religious Travel Could Worsen Situation

In the upcoming month of Shrawan (July–August 2025), religious tourism is expected to rise sharply as Hindu pilgrims from Odisha and Kolkata visit Nepal’s sacred Pashupatinath Temple. During the fourth wave, many such pilgrims tested positive.

Health authorities are concerned that without increased testing capacity, Nepal may not be able to contain an incoming surge.