Himachal imposes ban on tourists' entry

Shimla: In a big step to secure the state against the Coronavirus, Himachal Pradesh government on Thursday imposed a total ban on entry of all domestic and foreign tourists till further orders.

Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur announced the decision, after a high level meeting was held in his office to review the situation raising out of Coronavirus threat looming large over the country.

"It is quite satisfying for us that no Coronavirus case has tested positive in the state.Yet, we are alert and some precautions have already been taken to be further re-emphasised .One more decision taken today is banning entry of the tourists to the state," said Thakur.

He further informed that a delegation of Shimla Hoteliers Association met him and suggested that there should be no compromise on safety of the tourists, whether domestic or international.

Though, there has been a sharp drop in the arrival of the tourists in the state yet some tourists, after closure of schools and colleges, in the neighbouring states, have started reaching hills to spent holidays .

This created an issue of safety compelling the Hoteliers to approach the government.

"Since we have already imposed restrictions on the pilgrims and devotes reaching temples in the state, it has been decided to ban tourists entry. The foreigners and other tourists already staying, will be kept under watch. They are free to stay and will not be forced to leave," the Chief Minister said.

Later in the evening ,Additional Chief Secretary (Health) R D Dhiman issued the notification invoking Clause 3 of HP Epidemic Disease Regulation, 2020.

"The decision has been taken in view of rising number of Coronavirus patients in the neighbouring states," said Dhiman.

He said: "It has been recognised that social distancing is potent intervention implemented to avoid/decrease contact between those who are infected with a disease causing pathogen and those who are not, so as to stop or slow down the rate and extent of disease transmission in a community, eventually leading to decrease in spread, morbidity and mortality due to the disease."

Meanwhile, Sanjay Sood President of Shimla Hotels & Restaurant Association submitted a memorandum to Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur seeking relief from the government as occupancy in the hotels have dropped down to zero per cent adversely hitting the tourism industry. "We have asked for deferment of licence fee on excise, waiving property tax and waiving off other dues and payments.