The COVID-19 pandemic in Nepal is part of the worldwide pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The first case in Nepal was confirmed on 23 January 2020 when a 31-year-old student, who had returned to Kathmandu from Wuhan on 9 January, tested positive for the disease. It was also the first recorded case of COVID-19 in South Asia. Between January and March, Nepal took steps to prevent a widespread outbreak of the disease while preparing for it by procuring essential supplies, equipment and medicine, upgrading health infrastructure, training medical personnel, and spreading public awareness. The first case of local transmission was confirmed on 4 April in Kailali District. The first death occurred on 14 May. A country-wide lockdown came into effect on 24 March 2020, and ended on 21 July 2020. As of 25 August 2020, the Ministry of Health and Population (MoHP) has confirmed a total of 33,533 cases, 19,119 recoveries, and 164 deaths in the country. In the meantime, 621,901 PCR tests have been performed in 40 laboratories across the country. The viral disease has been detected in all provinces and districts of the country, with Province No. 2 and Kathmandu being the worst hit province and district respectively. As for Nepalese abroad, the Non-Resident Nepali Association has reported a total of 12,667 confirmed cases, 16,190 recoveries, and 161 deaths across 35 countries. Nepal established health-desks at Tribhuvan International Airport as well as on border checkpoints with India, starting in mid-January. Land borders with India as well as China were later completely sealed off, and all international flights were suspended. All academic examinations were cancelled, and schools and colleges were closed. Quarantine centres and temporary hospitals are being set up across the country. Laboratory facilities are being upgraded and expanded. Hospitals have been setting up ICU units and isolation beds. The SAARC countries have pledged to cooperate in controlling the disease in the region. India, the United States and Germany increased their support to Nepali health sectors. On 22 March 2020, the Ministry of Culture, Tourism, and Civil Aviation (MoCTCA) called off the Visit Nepal Year 2020 campaign. Nepal's economy is expected to be severely affected by the pandemic due to its impact on foreign employment, tourism, manufacturing, construction and trade. The World Bank has warned that the pandemic could push about one-third of the country's population below the International Poverty Line (i.e., $1.90 per day).