The United States (US) State Department has permitted all non-emergency U.S. Mission personnel and families to return to Nepal from Friday.

A press statement issued by the US Embassy in Kathmandu said the decision, made at the recommendation of the Embassy, is effective from Friday.

The Department on April 24 had ordered all non-emergency Mission personnel and families to leave Nepal, citing ongoing violence, curfews and widespread insecurity in Nepal.

“The Consular Section, which resumed certain services May 1, will also return to full operations on Monday, May 15, with non-immigrant visa interviews scheduled to start then,” the statement further said.

The U.S. Mission includes the Embassy, the Consular Section and American Center at the Yak & Yeti complex (west wing), and USAID.