Tibetan monasteries closing again as coronavirus fears continue

Tibetan monasteries and temples have begun closing to prevent coronavirus from spreading despite Chinese government moves to relieve the national quarantine period.

Samye and Yasang monasteries announced their closure to stop the virus spreading, following a notice from authorities on 14 and 15 April. The two monasteries are located in Lhoka near Lhasa. 

Kumbum Jampaling Monastery in eastern Tibet has also closed to visitors.

The news comes weeks after the Lhasa City Buddhist Association announced the reopening of about 214 monasteries and temples in and around Lhasa after the Chinese authorities relieved the pandemic lockdown in China and Tibet.

On 23 March, The Lhasa City Epidemic Prevention and Control Committee issued a notice announcing that the quarantine policy in the Tibetan capital will be relaxed. The official notice stated that people who are from low-risk areas and those who have been quarantined in the designated hotels for a week can now move outside.

Businesses, restaurants and hotels have begun to open again in Tibet.

Notice for the closure of Samye monastery.