New Delhi: Hill states have seen a massive tourist inflow, ever since after they resumed ban from travel and tourism. In the last few days, despite a possible 3rd wave, tourists in large numbers are visiting hill stations like Manali, Shimla, Mussorie and Nainital. Most of them are especially from Delhi and nearby states.
Since the beginning of this week, photos of heavily crowded streets and roads of Manali and Mussoorie have been floating through the internet. The roads and highways in these cities were had a long queue of vehicles that almost collapsed the local traffic management. Hotels in Manali, Dharamshala and Shimla were all occupied and people were moving to cities in higher altitudes in search of motels and homestays. Amid this influx, covid protocols were taken as a mere joke by the tourists.
Internet users, apart from sharing jokes and memes on these viral photos and videos, have also been raising serious concerns about tourist’s behaviour. Many predicted an early arrival of the 3rd wave of covid due to the irresponsible behaviour of tourists and local mismanagement.
Rs 5,000 penalty or upto 8 days jail for flouting Covid norms in Manali
After a lot of criticism and concerns from the public, now the central government has intervened. After the Union Health Ministry’s letter to the state of Himachal Pradesh, a fine of Rs 5,000 or 8 days of jail will be imposed on the tourists, if found without face masks or violating covid guidelines.
Meanwhile, speaking at a press briefing, Joint Secretary (health) Lav Agarwal termed this irresponsible behaviour from tourists as “revenge travel”. He also added that the recent strict provisions were mandatory to control the spread of the virus among the plains and reaching it to the higher altitudes.
