Nepal on Friday shut down all expeditions to Mount Everest to protect the Himalayan nation from the coronavirus pandemic.

China made a similar move Thursday from its side of the world’s biggest mountain.

“In order to prevent the spread of coronavirus, the government has decided to suspend visas to all foreigners and non-resident Nepalis entering the nation from March 14 till the end of next month,” Yogesh Bhattarai, Nepal’s Minister for Culture Tourism and Civil Aviation, told media.

Earlier this week, Nepal had suspended visa-on-arrival facility for citizens of eight countries.

A huge chunk of Nepal’s tourism revenue comes from issuance of permits for climbing Everest between April and August..