New Delhi (NVI): The government of Himachal Pradesh has relaxed lockdown norms, entry restrictions for tourists and people coming from other states.
The decision to ease out travel restrictions has been taken according to the central government’s latest guidelines, to revive the tourism sector in the state which is largely dependent on tourism for revenue.
The tourism sector which come to a standstill ever since the coronavirus-induced lockdown was announced in March. In an attempt to revive the tourism industry, the state cabinet relaxed the restrictions and guidelines on stay of tourists put in place to contain the COVID-19 pandemic in the hill state.
However, the state government will continue to enforce the stipulation of interstate e-movement passes; only its issuance will be streamlined to make it hassle-free for visitors.
The decision was taken during a cabinet meeting headed by Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur, he decided to reduce the minimum stay of the tourists to two days from five days.
Meanwhile, the existing norms in regard to COVID-19 negative certificates, which are mandatory for the tourists to enter Himachal Pradesh, have also been relaxed.
In addition, Urban Development Minister Suresh Bhardwaj said that unlike earlier, tourists can now show a COVID-19 negative test report of the test which was done 96 hours before entering the state.
He also said that no one will be given entry without an e-pass. All interstate movement will be monitored via the ongoing registration process. “Any person keen to visit Himachal can enter his particulars on this software and he will get permission on priority,” Bhardwaj added.
Himachal Pradesh’s coronavirus tally stands at 5,154 after 53 more people tested positive for the virus in the past 24 hours, while 2 new fatalities pushed it’s COVID-19 death toll to 30.
