New Delhi (NVI): The Meghalaya government has decided to reopen its doors for tourists from outside the state from December 21, after almost nine months of shutdown to contain the COVID-19 pandemic.
Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma took to Twitter and informed about the development. “Meghalaya reopens its #Tourism from 21st December, 2020. While you’re planning your next trip, here’s what awaits you in the #LandOfClouds. #CheckInToNature,” Sangma tweeted.
#Meghalaya reopens its #Tourism from 21st December, 2020. While you're planning your next trip, here's what awaits you in the #LandOfClouds. #CheckInToNature@narendramodi @prahladspatel @DrJitendraSingh @tourismgoi @meghtourism @MDoNER_India pic.twitter.com/BfsX7EeKNq
— Conrad Sangma (@SangmaConrad) December 8, 2020
The Chief Minister also shared a cinematic video showing the state in its absolute and complete glory.
Meghalaya, the abode of clouds, is one of the most beautiful states in North-east India offering a variety of sights, activities, food and festivals to tourists.
Meanwhile, the State’s Tourism Department has also issued a set of Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) for all the tourists who will be visiting the state after the COVID-19 induced lockdown.
Under the new SOPs, it has been made mandatory for all the tourists to register on the Meghalaya Tourism App and generate e-invite for the proposed itinerary. The App can be downloaded on both Android and iOS. Also, photo identity cards of all members of the visiting group have to be uploaded to obtain one common e-invite.
With an aim to provide support to the tourism industry of the north-eastern state after months of lockdown and subsequent losses, the Meghalaya tourism department has made it compulsory for tourists to book hotels, homestays and guest houses for at least two nights.
Further, the tourists entering the state needs to produce a COVID negative RT-PCR/TruNat/CBNAAT report which will be valid only if they were tested within 72 hours of
their arrival at the entry point. However, the RAT negative test is not valid for tourists who are entering the state.
Earlier on October 16, the state open tourism activities and places only for the local tourists, while spots- Ward’s Lake, Elephant Falls, and Lum Nehru Park were opened on a trial basis.
-RJV
