Travellers hoping to get a glimpse of the emerald waters of South Andaman and catch a ferry to Ross Island can now do all that and more with the region opening up all tourism activities with immediate effect. Here’s everything you need to know. By Eshita Srinivas
Known for stunning diving spots, crystal-clear waters, diverse wildlife, and monuments steeped in history, Andaman is a popular tropical-vacation destination for many Indians. Despite that, few could make it to the islands these past few years due to a host of curfews and COVID-19 travel restrictions. However, this is slated to change with the most recent update, in which the Andaman and Nicobar Administration declared that all tourist activities in South Andaman would reopen with immediate effect.
There are no longer any restrictions on the movement of people in South Andaman
A circular, issued by Sunil Anchipaka, the District Magistrate of South Andaman has been put up on the official website of the Andaman and Nicobar Administration. It states that all congregations related to social, political, sports, entertainment, cultural, religious, and academic activities will now be permitted in the region. It further added that all parks, stadiums, gyms, yoga institutes, and playgrounds will be thrown open for visitors. Besides this, night curfew has been withdrawn and all outdoor and indoor sports activities have been given the thumbs up. Theatres have also opened up.
Earlier, the administration had reopened museums as well as sound and light shows at cellular jails, instructing officials to operate at 50 percent capacity. Ross Island (officially known as Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Island) also welcomed visitors from 9 am to 4 pm for tourists, as per a report by United News India.
? Night Curfew withdrawn in South Andaman Distt. due to fall in #COVID19 cases.
? All religious places opened for public worship following Covid 19 protocols.
?Parks, playground, stadium, gym, yoga centres to reopen
DC, SA issued an order with immediate effect.
— AIR News, Port Blair, A&N Islands ?? (@airnews_pb) February 8, 2022
The circular added that all stated activities would have to be done bearing in mind COVID-19 appropriate behaviour. In order to do this, thermal scanning devices, hand wash, and sanitizers have been mandated for organisers, failing which a fine of INR 20,000 is liable.
Other popular tourist destinations in South Andaman include Jolly Buoy Island, Chidiya Tapu, Mount Harriet National Park, Corbyn’s Cove, Marina park and aquarium, and Wandoor beach. The capital city of Port Blair also calls South Andaman its home.
Travellers heading to Andaman need to present a negative Covid-19 test
In a similar circular last month, the island’s administration had mandated a negative COVID-19 report for all passengers (above the age of 2) landing at the Veer Savarkar International Airport in Port Blair. The test needs to be taken no longer than 48 hours prior to the date of departure. International passengers will be tested with an RT-PCR test on arrival and those who test positive will have to follow standard protocols until they test negative.
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