Indian tourists flocking to popular hotpots in Himachal raise concerns from the government

Monday, July 12, 2021

Indian authorities are concerned regarding a rush of tourists to Himalayan mountain towns that is thought of being a precursor about the resurgence of the virus.

Indian visitors flocked to popular mountain retreats like Shimla, Manali and Mussoorie in recent weeks to escape the searing summer heat and to make the most of a recent decline in the country’s corona virus caseload, after a devastating second wave of the virus this year.

Many areas of the country, including tourism-dependent mountain states are reopening, and local authorities have encouraged domestic travel for curbing the severe economic blow of extended lockdowns.

But officials have warned that India could face a third wave in the coming months, and crowds of tourists could put that hard-won reprieve in danger, as parts of the country are still fighting high Covid positivity rates and increasing transmission.

India’s home ministry raised the alarm on Saturday about “blatant disregard of Covid-appropriate behavior in hill stations and other tourist locations”. VK Paul, the head of India’s Covid-19 task force, said that there is “a new risk emerging” from this surging tourist activity.

While the official daily case count has declined to about 40,000, parts of India are still battling renewed transmission. Maharashtra has re-imposed few lockdown measures while Kerala has registered a rising number of cases.

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