As Himachal Pradesh announces COVID report waiver, 5,000 vehicles enter Shimla
As the Himachal Pradesh government opened its borders to outsiders without the mandatory RT-PCR negative report, tourists rushed to the state, particularly Shimla, Kullu-Manali, and Dharamsala.
The police has warned the visitors against flouting the Covid safety protocol. Within a few hours of the opening of the borders, long queues of vehicles were witnessed at the entry points.
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It was witnessed after Himachal Pradesh waived off the need for mandatory RT-PCR negative reports.
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Over 5,000 vehicles entered Shimla within hours from the Shogi barrier. Tourists in huge number were seen on the Ridge and The Mall Road in Shimla. Meanwhile, the police slapped challans on a few violators.
Shimla Superintendent of Police Mohit Chawla said police challaned some people on The Mall Road and even warned of 8-day jail in case of repeated violations.
The occupancy this weekend was around 30 percent which is expected to go up to 60 percent in the coming week. As many as 25 percent of bookings have been done while 25 percent of tourists were walking in, a report stated.
People in the plains were rushing to the hills of Himachal to get relief from heatwave conditions. President of Tourism Industry Stakeholders Association MK Seth said that they have asked the hotel owners to abide by the SOPs including wearing masks, sanitization, and avoiding overcrowding so that tourists feel safe and comfortable.
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