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mindless behavior
Holiday fervor grips people amid a ranging pandemic. Tourists flock hill stations as heat wave sweeps plains. Heavy rush of visitors in Himachal Pradesh‘s Shimla, Manali. Highways choked, hotels fully booked. The horrific memories of devastating second wave have not been able to daunt people from flouting covid norms. Just days after the Himachal Pradesh government relaxed covid related restrictions, the state saw a massive influx of tourists. Delayed monsoon and scorching heat are being seen as reasons behind the huge influx of visitors. Nearly 6-7 lakh tourists have reportedly visited the Himalayan state in just a month. The state govt.’s decision to withdraw the condition of negative RT-PCR report e-covid pass has led to the current situation. Long hours of traffic jams seen in places like Shimla, Manali and Dharamshala indicate the huge inflow of tourists. All hotels in Shimla kullu-Manali and Dharamshala are mostly occupied. The average min temperature in popular tourists’ destinations like Shimla Manali is 20 degree Celsius.
But can we afford to flout the covid protocols?
The sudden surge in tourists in the region has raised the questions of covid 19 protocols being followed. Experts have predicted that a third wave of covid is likely to hit India in a couple of weeks. Visitors have seen ditching social distancing and mask rules. Authorities are struggling to ensure implementation of covid protocols amid fears of an impending third wave. Himachal Pradesh’s economy is highly dependent on tourism. It contributes 7% to state GDP. In Himachal Pradesh it yields nearly 11,000 Crore. On July 5, Himachal Pradesh recorded 158 fresh corona virus cases and 1 death.
As soon as we take a step forward in the fight against covid-19 we pull ourselves so much backward. People seem so heedless of the fatal wave that we have been through and that we are still in the middle of a vaccination drive. It is as if they are inviting the third wave.
From no beds in hospitals to no rooms in hotels way too soon….
This is tourism with a vengeance.