NEW DELHI, July 19: Despite the Centre expressing concern over over-crowding of the hill stations breaking all Covid protocols, the Himalayan states have welcomed the tourists to help pick up the economy.
While the Uttarakhand government has withdrawn the mandatory negative RT-PCR test reports for fully vaccinated people to visit the state, the neighbouring Himachal Pradesh chief minister Jairam Thakur said on Monday that it would not be right to stop tourists to the hill state as the tourism industry had taken a very bad hit in the Coronavirus pandemic.
He, however, claimed that the government had taken all required steps and crowded places were being regulated to contain the spread of the viral disease.
Thakur’s comments came amid concerns being raised by the Central government over tourists flouting coronavirus protocol at several places. Several experts have urged caution as fears of a third wave of the deadly virus loomed large on the country. The CM had said on Saturday the government wanted tourists to visit Himachal Pradesh, but they would have to follow norms. Earlier this month, Niti Aayog member (health) Dr VK Paul said that visuals from tourist spots of people mingling without adhering to protocols are a “serious cause of concern”, and asserted that lowering of guard cannot be accepted at present.
“You cannot stop tourists from entering the state. Tourism industry has been the worst affected in the aftermath of Covid-19. Hence, it is not right to stop these activities. What can be done is being done and crowded places are being regulated,” the Himachal CM said.
Thakur, who held a meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday, said the latter sought details about the state’s developmental project. Modi also appreciated the hill state’s vaccine management efforts against the pandemic, the CM said. “I also apprised him of more vaccine requirement, so that the state does even better,” Thakur said.
(Manas Dasgupta)