Shimla: Himachal Pradesh is among those states which are dependent upon tourism for their economy but due to three-month-long coronavirus induced lockdown, it has been hit hard. After the Centre imposed Unlock 2, the Himachal government has opened the gates of the Himalayan state for tourists by issuing mandatory guidelines and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for travellers and people involved in tourism business including hoteliers, restaurant owners, travel agencies, etc.
Guidelines for tourists:
- Tourists must enrol themselves at least 48 hours before coming to Himachal Pradesh on the
- e-COVID pass website of the State Government.
- tourists will have to come a minimum for five to seven days
- They must show test reports for negative COVID-19 upon entry
- COVID test has to be done not earlier than 72 hours.
- The report must be furnished from an Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) recognised lab.
- Travellers must have the Aarogya Setu app in their phone along with carrying mask, sanitiser, and gloves.
- They need to follow thermal scanning and social distancing norms each time.
- Details related to their trip including hotel booking get registered with the administration.
- People will be allowed to halt only at the spots fixed by the administration.
- Spitting in public will be prohibited.
Read:| Himachal Pradesh set to welcome tourists back after 3 months of closure
Guidelines for people involved in the tourism business:
- Training will be compulsory for staff in hotels, dhabas, restaurants or food outlets in the wake of coronavirus infection.
- Staff will have to use Arogya Setu App, thermal scanning, mask, sanitiser and gloves.
- Provision of sanitiser for tourists must be made.
- Frequent sanitisation of every item and place.
- Making arrangements to maintain social distancing.
- Regular sanitisation of public toilets.
- Posters of compulsory guidelines including do's and don'ts.
- Separate arrangements for carrying packed food.
- Promotion of digital payment instead of cash transaction.
- Taxi drivers required to use gloves and masks.
- Arrangement of disposal bags and sanitiser in taxis.
- Pre-online booking for adventure and water sports.
- Frequent sanitisation of equipment used in adventure and water sports.
- 60 per cent of the capacity of people will sit in a boat or raft to ensure social distancing.
- Only 2 people per paddle boat allowed.
- Compulsory social distancing to be followed in museum, park and zoo.
- Arrangements for crowd and capacity management
- 60 per cent of people allowed on swings in Adventure Park.
- Photographers must follow all precautions including using masks, sanitisers, gloves and hats.
- No provision to change costume for pictures at tourist spots.
Himachal Pradesh government has issued these SOPs and guidelines to ensure economic stability and provide relief to tourism business across the state which is struggling due to the deadly pandemic.
