Karnataka sees tourist rush with infringement of Covid-appropriate behavior

Saturday, August 7, 2021

With restrictions on movement eased, people are visiting tourist destinations in Karnataka like never before. However, Covid-appropriate behavior is being violated largely. Many in the tourism sector are apprehensive that this could trigger a third wave of infections and another round of restrictions.

An official in Shivamogga said that the footfall at Jog Falls over the past 19 days is estimated to be more than 62,000, and social distancing norms are impossible to maintain. District administration data shows that on Sunday alone, 14,444 people visited the falls.

On weekends, Kodachadri, the peak in the Western Ghats in Shivamogga district, witnesses more than 2,000 trekkers. Many vehicles carry passengers beyond permitted limits and many tourists don’t bother wearing masks either. In Kodagu and Chikkamagaluru districts, homestays and resorts are accommodating visitors disobeying capacity.

Travel operators are calling it “revenge tourism”. They are of the opinion that since people were forced to stay indoors during the lockdown, they want to see a change now. People are now trying to visit every possible place before another possible lockdown. However, in the rush, many are flouting rules that could trigger the third wave.

Rahul Bavaji, a homestay owner in Dandeli, said that the government might close the tourism sector yet again if cases go up. To prevent the government from taking drastic measures, homestay and resort owners need to exercise caution, he said.

“I regularly update details of visitors to my homestay with the district administration. No tourists from Kerala and Maharashtra who do not possess negative certificates are entertained,” he said. He added that owners and tourist operators need to make sure that guests stick to Covid-19 safety protocols.

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