Joining the league of ‘destinations open for tourist in India’ in Unlock Phase II Himachal Pradesh has announced tourist visits to the State about three-and-a-half-months after a ban was imposed to control the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic. The State has allowed entry of tourists with conditions such as a test report showing negative for COVID-19 and a prior hotel booking of at least five days.
In an order issued by the Chief Secretary-cum-Chairperson of State Executive Committee (SEC), Anil Kumar Khachi, the State Government has relaxed the ban as part of the phased reopening. However, the inter-state bus service will remain suspended till further orders. All inter-state movement will be monitored through registration in the COVID e-pass software.
As per Order, tourists with valid booking, preferably for durations not less than five days and having been tested for COVID-19 by an ICMR-accredited laboratory not earlier than 72 hours at the time of entry may also be exempted from the requirement of quarantine.
The people coming to Himachal Pradesh from other states shall strictly adhere to the prevailing guidelines/standard operating procedure (SOP) issued by the health and revenue departments of the state.
The medical colleges are allowed to open in the state for final-year students to strengthen the health system in coming days along with the health training institutions from July 15 subject to SOPs issued by the department of health and family welfare, the order stated.
