Corona scare: Tourists start leaving Hills in droves
Darjeeling: With the ban on tourists imposed in Darjeeling and Kalimpong from Thursday, tourists started leaving the Hill towns in droves.
On Wednesday, the District Administration had issued notifications barring tourists from the Hills of Darjeeling and Kalimpong district from Thursday till April 15, to check the Corona threat.
The Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA) chairman Anit Thapa has asked the hotels not to take fresh bookings and taxi operators to refrain from bringing in tourists.
With the sudden announcement, many tourists could not leave immediately owing to lack of train tickets. "We have train tickets for Monday. We have been asked to vacate the hotel. However, as there are elders with us and they cannot travel by bus, we have no other option than to go down to Siliguri and stay there till Monday," said Aparajita Dey from Kolkata.
There were some tourists who arrived on Wednesday night. A group of tourists from Gujarat said: "We were in Sikkim and were asked to leave. We arrived in Darjeeling but were not informed by the hotel about the ban on tourists. We found out about the same on Thursday and have decided to leave on Friday."
"Social distancing is the need of the hour. Community Halls which are the venue for social functions should postpone the functions. Until the situation normalizes, no large gatherings including political programmes should be allowed. Haats (local markets) will also be closed for the time being. I request the parents to keep children at home and not allow them to roam around as schools are closed," said the GTA chairman.
On Thursday, the GTA announced closure of all parks and gardens along with lodges under the GTA. Thapa was present at the screening centre at Simulbari on the foothills during the day. Stringent screenings were conducted using thermal scanners. Checks are on at NJP and Bagdogra as well.
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Darjeeling and Sikkim has cancelled all religious congregrations for the time being. "Respecting the need of the hour and the appeals by the government, we will practice social distancing. Sunday and Easter masses stand cancelled. As the situation demands, we will notify the worshippers," said Reverend Bishop Stephen Lepcha.
Panic spread with reports of a lady and her daughter having arrived from America to Subashpally in Siliguri on Tuesday. After local residents complained, a medical team led by the Municipal Councillor visited the duo.
"There is nothing to worry. They are in the best of health but will remain in home quarantine," said Mausami Hazra, Councillor, Ward 19, Siliguri Municipality.
Meanwhile, Section 144 CRPC was imposed in the East District of Sikkim on Thursday, owing to the Corona threat.