With restrictions easing around the country and unlocking in the first phase, a few tourist destinations in India have opened their doors to visitors. The latest to join the list is Darjeeling. Ready to welcome tourists from July 1, the hill town will open after three months since the lockdown began to stop the spread of coronavirus.
Famous for their tea estates, tourism in the hills was massively hit due to the lockdown, leaving many out of business. Keeping this mind, the Gorkha Territorial Administration, the autonomous administrative body for Darjeeling, has formed a committee. It consists of hotel owners, political parties, district administration and the police, who have together decided to re-open hotels for the purpose of reviving the economy through tourism.
The hotel owners will, however, have to adhere to the standard operating procedures as laid down by the central government. All travellers will also have to produce their fitness certificates before entering Darjeeling. Travellers will be screened at two different points before reaching the town. Additionally, the hotel staff will also carry out screening at the entrance gate. Apart from that, sanitisation measures will be in place, and travellers will be encouraged to drive down in their personal vehicles to reduce public contact and transmission. Tea gardeners have also started operating with full capacity here.