Tourists from Punjab line up at Himachal borders after dismissal of compulsory RT-PCR test report

Monday, June 14, 2021

After the Himachal Cabinet decided to do away with RT-PCR negative report compulsory for entering Himachal, many tourists from Punjab lined up at state borders. The tourists thought that the entry for the state has been thrown open by the state government.

However, most of them had to return unhappy since the new rules would come into effect after June 14 following the district magistrates of border districts amending their orders.

A hotelier from Dharamsala said that there is a sudden increase in enquiries from tourists from Punjab after the Cabinet decision regarding dismissal of the RT-PCR negative test report. However, most of the tourists had to come back from the state borders.

Ashwani Bamba, the president of the hotel and restaurant association of Dharamsala, said that most hoteliers, who had closed down their establishments, were considering opening after Monday. They are calling back their staff that had been sent home. However, there is still confusion regarding entry into the state.

Although the Cabinet had decided to do away with the RT-PCR negative report, tourists visiting the state would still have to register at the e-portal of the state government. “Till date the e-portal was seeking same formalities as RT-PCR negative report for entry into the state. We hope that easier entry protocol was adopted by the state government so that the tourists can come into the state”, Mr. Bamba said.

Many hoteliers have also questioned the reason for mandatory registration at state borders that would be required for entering the state. The registration would not serve any purpose as it’s not a foolproof way of restricting any Covid positive patient from entering the state.

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