Arunachal Pradesh opened for tourism activities from Thursday with certain restrictions and safety protocols. The state government issued a set of fresh guidelines in addition to the earlier SOPs for the resumption of tourism activities in the state with effect from 15th October 2020.
The guidelines are as follows-
– Only pre-booked package tours, exclusively through local tour operators will be allowed to operate. All tourist transport and ground handling services including pick up/drop will be through the authorized local travel agents/tour operators.
Protocol for tour operators-
– All tourists should possess a valid Covid-19 Negative Certificate (RTPCR or True NAT test) from ICMR designated laboratory/facility, not more than 72 hours prior to the date of arrival.
– All tourists accompanying driver and guide of the tour from outside the state should adhere to Covid-19 inter state traveller testing protocol issued by the department of Health & Family Welfare, Arunachal Pradesh.
– While applying for tourist Inner Line Permit (ILP), following documents should be submitted:
1) Valid Covid-19 negative certificate of tourist.
2) Tour booking slip
3) Tour itinerary with details of place of visit.
4) Details of vehicle, driver and tour guide information.
– All places of stay for tourist should be preferably at the accomodatiom outside the main town area or any populated area. Accomodation like tourist lodges and hotels currently used as Covid quaratine centre or have been used as a quarantine centre in the past 30 days should not be used for tourists stay.
Protocol for Visiting Tourist
– Tourist should strictly observe social distancing norms with a physical distance of 2 meters (6 feet) per person. Family groups can stay together if they ensure that they are at least 2 metres (6 feet) away from any other individual or family groups.
-Tourists should ensure that they wear a protective face mask while within the premises of any tourism destination.
-Tourists should frequently wash hands or use hand sanitizers.
– Persons above 65 years of age, persons with comorbidity, pregnant women, and children below the age of 10 years shall not be permitted to enter the state as tourist.
– Tourist shall avoid handling cash as much as possible.
– Spitting in public is strictly prohibited,
– Use of Arogya Setu app is mandatory for tourists, tour guides and drivers.
– All authorized tour operators, homestays, hotels, lodges, resorts and other tourism establishements to strictly adhere to operational recommendations provided by the Ministry of Tourism, Govt of India.
In addition, SOPs issued by the state government for management of Covid-19 positive person from time to time should be strictly adhered by the tourists and tourism service providers.
(Fearure image source: Fortuneindia.com)
