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Karnataka: RT-PCR report mandatory for those arriving from Kerala and Maharashtra

Those travelling from Maharashtra and Kerala to Karnataka will now have to provide an RT-PCR negative certificate. As per the reports, special surveillance measures have been announced by the Karnataka state government, which also stated that those arriving from Kerala and Maharashtra, irrespective of the vaccination status, will need to produce the said certificate that is not older than 72 hours. Thus, even those who are fully vaccinated people, and are travelling from these two states, will not be required to carry an RT-PCR negative certificate to enter the state. Reportedly, the revised rule will be applicable to any type of visitor entering the state via bus, train, flight, or private vehicle. Further, airlines flying to the state from these two states, will need to ensure that they are issuing boarding passes to only those who have the RT-PCR negative certificate. Likewise, bus and railway operators operating on these routes will need to make sure that the passengers have the necessary health certificate. The government has ordered setting up of check posts in Kannada, Dakshina Kodagu, and Mysuru districts, which border Kerala. Also check posts are to be set up at Belagavi, Kalburgi, Vijayapura, and Bidar districts, as these spots are adjacent to Maharashtra. Reason why these states have been singled out is that these neighbouring states of Karnataka currently account for a majority of new COVID cases in the country.

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Mumbai: Allow vaccinated persons to travel by local trains, Bombay high court tells Maharashtra govt

Observing that people have to earn their livelihood, the Bombay high court on Monday said all those who are vaccinated must be allowed to travel by Mumbai’s local trains. "Spread your net wide. Not just lawyers but people from all walks of life," a bench of Chief Justice Dipankar Datta and Justice Girish Kulkarni told the State government while hearing a PIL to allow travel for lawyers. Advocate general Ashutosh Kulkarni said at a meeting with the Railways a formula was worked out to allow lawyers who are vaccinated with one or two doses and depending on age. He said Railways wants a letter from the State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA) headed by the CM who is touring flood-affected areas. "Immediately we will permit," assured additional solicitor general Anil Singh for the Centre. The AG said SDMA was "slightly reluctant" to allow train travel for lawyers as in the first phase. “This time front line health and some government employees are allowed. Even telephone, electric, and other essential services are not allowed," he added. The judges pointed out that in comparison with last year, this year people are vaccinated. "What is the benefit of vaccination? Vaccinated persons are not expected to stay home. People have to earn their livelihood," said the CJ. He said although the high court has extended interim orders from time to time authorities pass orders which prejudicially affect their clients. "So they (lawyers) have to come to court," he added. Senior advocate Milind Sathe, for State Bar Council, said around 4000 advocates in Mumbai Metropolitan Region and not more than 1000 advocates in Mumbai would require train passes. He also said they will not travel at fixed hours. The judges questioned if there is a comprehensive plan to allow travel for all who are vaccinated. “This is going to be imperative to work on a comprehensive plan. This suspended position and uncertainty is affecting everyone and some sections of the population to such an extent that there is a burden on the finances,” said Justice Kulkarni. The judges referred to the conditions of Mumbai's roads. “Look at the state of the roads. It takes 3 hours each way to reach Dahisar (from south Mumbai). Why entire population travelling by road cannot travel by train?’" asked Justice Kulkarni. Reminded by the judges that no final decision is taken, the AJ said "We are working on it. The CM is not available in Mumbai." On Thursday the State will submit its response on allowing train travel for lawyers and vaccinated persons.

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Odisha's Bhitarkanika National Park to reopen for tourists from August 5

The Bhitarkanika National Park will reopen for tourists from August 5. However, night stay at forest guest houses meant for tourists will not be allowed. The park was closed for visitors from May 1 to July 31 during the mating and nesting seasons of saltwater crocodiles but due to COVID-19, the Forest department extended the closure period to August 8. Once it reopens, all visitors are required to follow COVID-19 norms including use of masks and maintaining social distance while entering the park where adequate number of forest guards have been deployed to enforce the regulations. Sanitisers have been kept at several places in the forest and the guest houses, road and other infrastructure renovated, said DFO JD Pati. The Forest department has made it mandatory for tourists to take local guides in the boat to visit the park for which around 40 youths of nearby villages have been trained. A large number of tourists from West Bengal and other states visit Bhitarkanika during Durga Puja holidays and the same is expected this time. "We renovated guest houses, roads and other infrastructure recently," he said. Eco-tourism in Bhitarkanika is a big employment generator and can lead to poverty reduction and promotion of socio-economic development, the officer said.

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Kerala to Tamil Nadu travel will need COVID-19 negative report

Chennai Passengers travelling from Kerala to Tamil Nadu from August 5 can enter only if they produce a RT-PCR test negative certificate, Minister for Health and Family Welfare Ma. Subramanian has said. Passengers coming by any mode of transport should carry the RT-PCR negative report. Revenue, medical and police department will check the movement of people and ensure that only those with negative report of RT-PCR test enter the State from Kerala, according to a press release. The certificates will be verified at 13 border check posts. In the wake of an increase in the case count over the last few days, this decision had been taken to curb the spread of COVID-19 early. The reason for initiating this measure from August 5 is to give people time to get tested and get a negative certificate to enter the State. Meanwhile, Mr. Subramanian conducted an inspection at the Chennai airport on Sunday. He said the visit was to oversee how the passengers, both international and domestic, were screened and tested. Kerala had been witnessing a spike in cases and while that government had been taking steps to control the spread, the State government had said it was crucial to check those who entered Tamil Nadu, the release said. Vaccine certificate People who had taken both doses of vaccine, with the second dose being taken 14 days prior to the day of their entry, should show the vaccination certificate. At present, international passengers arriving from London, Brazil, South Africa, Europe and West Asia have to go through thermal screening and RT-PCR test on arrival and the lab at the airport provides results in about four hours. For the international passengers from other countries, thermal scanning was done. There are plans to set up a facility for carrying out rapid RT-PCR test as well at Chennai airport this week.

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Vindhyachal Corridor: UP’s upcoming temple project in Mirzapur aims to overhaul tourism

Big tourism boost for Vindhyachal Corridor project in Uttar Pradesh! Union Home Minister and senior BJP leader Amit Shah laid the foundation stone for the Rs 300-crore Vindhyachal Corridor project in Uttar Pradesh’s Mirzapur district. A “dream project” of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, the project will see amenities developed for devotees visiting the district’s famous Vindhyachal temple. The surrounding roads will also be widened to 50 feet and the government will facilitate a grander look for darshan at the shrine. The project Once completed, the Vindhya Corridor will provide a view of the Ganga to the temple’s northern side. Reports said visitors will be able to see the river from the stairway and provide an added attraction for the thousands of devotees that come for a darshan at the temple. The Vindhyachal Corridor is seen as important for Uttar Pradesh’s pilgrimage sector as devotees have complained about the condition near the temple being unfit for a holy location. There is almost no proper transport to the temple, while the narrow lanes and roads that lead to the shrine often remain inaccessible for pilgrims. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath hopes the Vindhyachal Corridor project will increase footfall at the temple as well as surrounding areas. How to reach airport nearest to temple The airport nearest to the temple is in Babatpur, Varanasi, around 72 km away. The Vindhyachal railway station, located on the Delhi-Howrah and Mumbai-Howrah routes, is approximately 1 km from the temple. As only a few trains have a stop at Vindhyachal, many pilgrims opt for Mirzapur railway station 9 km away. The Delhi-Kolkata stretch of the National Highway-2 remains the most convenient way to reach the temple. Uttar Pradesh State Transport buses to Vindhyachal are also available from Varanasi and Prayagraj (Allahabad). The goddess and the temple Pilgrims flock to the temple as per their beliefs, Vindhyavasini was incarnated to kill Mahishasura, the demon. The goddess, believed to be the daughter of Nanda and Yashoda, bestowed benediction to devotees instantly. The temple witnesses hundreds of thousands of devotees paying homage to the Goddess Vindhvasini and is a popular tourist attraction in the state. Among the most-revered siddhapeeths, the temple holds congregations during Navratras, while Kajali competitions are conducted in June.

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Kerala govt to implement 'revolving fund scheme' to revive COVID-hit tourism sector

The Kerala government is getting ready to implement a 'revolving fund scheme' in the state tourism sector with an aim to revive the industry which had been shattered due to the outbreak of COVID-19. Tourism Minister P A Mohammed Riyas told the state Assembly that the proposed scheme envisaged to provide interest-free loans is aimed to support those employed in the industry who are facing challenges due to the pandemic spread. The project is set for implementation, he said while replying to a question raised by E Chandrasekharan (CPI) in this regard during the Question Hour. Under the scheme, tourist taxi and bus drivers, houseboat staff, hotel-restaurant employees, those working in Ayurveda centres, homestays, amusement and green parks and responsible tourism projects and artists, handicraft experts and martial artists attached to the sector can avail interest-free loans. The minister said it was also decided to renew the licence and accreditation issued by the Tourism department to various institutions including Ayurveda centres, restaurants, homestays, service villas and so on till December 31. The state government has been on its mission to rejuvenate the shattered holiday industry which has suffered a severe blow due to the pandemic situation. As per the government figures, the Tourism sector had incurred losses to the tune of Rs 33,675 crore due to the COVID-19 situation. A rejuvenation package had been announced in the budget for the sector and Rs 30 crore had been earmarked for it as government share for its revival. In addition to the existing provision of Rs 100 crore, Rs 50 crore had been additionally earmarked to the Tourism Department for marketing in the recently presented maiden budget of the second Pinarayi Vijayan government.

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