As Himachal Pradesh tourism reopens for travellers after March, it has put some conditions and guidelines in place for the safety of tourists and locals alike. Read on to know more. By Kumar Shree
Even after easing the lockdown restrictions, the hilly state of Himachal Pradesh was slightly hesitant to reopen tourism completely. However, the state has now allowed the entry of tourists with some conditions in place. Those interested in travelling to Himachal Pradesh would need to provide a COVID-19 negative test report and a hotel booking of at least five days.
Anil Kumar Khachi, the chief secretary-cum-chairperson of state executive committee (SEC) issued an order regarding the same on Thursday.
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As reported by Hindustan Times, the order read: “Tourists with a valid booking, preferably for durations not less than five days and having been tested for COVID-19 by an ICMR-accredited laboratory not earlier than 72 hours at the time of entry may also be exempted from the requirement of quarantine.”
The order, however, does not mention any exact date as from when tourists can start entering the state.
Another report by the Business Today says that the Federation of Hotel and Restaurant Association of Himachal (FOHRA) has written a letter to Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur proposing a three-tier Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for reopening of the state.
It reported that the FOHRA State Co-Convener Sanjeev Gandhi said, “This app should be linked with the concerned hotel/accommodation guest desired to stay… Medical checkup, precaution, and sanitisation should be maintained by the state government at the state and district borders before tourists and their vehicle enter the state.”
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Mr Gandhi also added that; “Government should also appoint a dedicated helpline, appoint district/town level emergency contact and if any guest found COVID-19 positive during the stay, entire responsibility should not be put on the stakeholder or hotel management. The government should also waive various taxes/bills during the period of lockdown.”
The idea is to make the traveller responsible for uploading correct data, COVID-19 test certificate and adhering to the social distancing norms during their stay in the state.
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