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Mumbai: International passengers to go through COVID-19 test at the airport

Mumbai Airport will soon start testing international passengers for COVID-19 on arrival, in case they have not tested COVID negative within 96 hours of travelling. Reportedly, international passengers taking connecting flights from Mumbai, will undergo Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) tests for COVI-19 on arrival at the airport. This is as per the new guidelines issued by the state government recently. As per the guidelines, those passengers can get tested and will be further allowed to take the connecting flights on having a negative test report. However, those found positive might not be allowed to take the connecting flight and sent for institutional quarantine in Mumbai, the guidelines state. The Ministry of Civil Aviation recently issued a notification to all states and directed them to subject international passengers to COVID-19 tests at the entry airport. While passengers can choose between RT-PCR test, which takes more than eight hours to deliver results; or GeneXpert, which produces results within 30 min, the cost of the tests will be borne by passengers. As such the state government has advised passengers to book connecting flights accordingly, i.e., with a time gap of at least 8-12 hours, as RT-PCR test takes 7 to 8 hours to generate a report. Referring to this, an officer from the Airport Health Authority (AHO) said that any international passenger who arrives at the Mumbai airport without RT-PCR negative report, but needs to take a connecting flight, will from now on have to undertake the test. He added that such passengers will be given the option of booking their test online. If in case the passenger is found to be COVID negative, the airport will stamp the passenger’s hand and he will have to self-quarantine till the given date, whereas in case passenger tests positive, he will be institutionally quarantined in the city.

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Now Tourists can Rent Camper-van in Maharashtra too after MP

Amid the ongoing pandemic, travel almost seems out of bounds, unless you are required to take that risk for any reason. Naturally, you must be missing the outdoors. In such a scenario, Maharashtra brings to you a little surprise to get set for traveling again. Reportedly, you can now go on an adventurous vacation or visit tourist hotspots by renting a customised caravan vehicle, when in Maharashtra. Recently, the state-run Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation (MTDC) and Mothom jointly launched campervans to encourage people to go on road trips again. This kind of travel is especially attractive in today’s scenario, i.e., in the times of global pandemic. This type of travel enables you to skip that airport or, as a matter of fact, buses and train stations. In fact, renting a campervan allows you to get rid of the anxiety of getting infected, explore places at your own pace. All you have to do is pick a scenic spot of your choice, pull up your van, and make it your bedroom. The Minister of Tourism Aaditya Thackeray and the Minister of State for Tourism Aditi Tatkare recently today flagged off the venture. Motohom currently owns two vehicles, i.e., a minivan that will be perfect for a road trip for one or two, while the other one, i.e., a traditional motorhome will be perfect for small families. The minivan comes equipped with a rear passenger seat area, which you can convert into a flatbed, and also has a repurposed trunk. It also comes enhanced with a detachable living space that can provide you extra room on the roof. However, the larger campervan comes with a kitchen, a small bedroom, a living room, a ‘terrace’ space on the roof, and a bathroom. Further, both the vans have a waste disposal system. Apart from these, the vehicles also have been enhanced with front- and rear-mounted close circuit cameras for security, and GPS tracking to help travellers in case of a breakdown. There is a security siren on board, which you can hit to ward off any potential danger; then there is this SOS button to help you out. Booking details: You can book these vehicles by directly going to Motohom’s website. While the smaller van is available currently for INR 4,000/day, the larger one comes with a driver, whereas an attendant can also be rented for INR 21,000/day.

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Paragliding at Bir Billing to start from September 15

Paragliding, one of the most important tourist activities in Himachal Pradesh, will restart at Bir Billing from September 15. The adventure sport was suspended by the state government after the lockdown implemented in India in March 2020 in the wake of Coronavirus. The state had given permission to resume paragliding in the first week of July. However, the ban on flights, considering the rising cases of COVID-19, did not support the resumption. According to the latest reports, the state government will permit every kind of paragliding from September 15, which would give the much-needed push to tourism in Kangra valley. On the other hand, there is still uncertainty about organising the International Paragliding World Cup Championship 2020 at Billing in October 2020, because the COVID- 19 pandemic has not yet subsided. It is merely 1.5 months to go for the event, yet no preparations are in progress. Several officers of the state tourism department and the administration have not confirmed the event. The championship is hosted at Billing annually in October. Bir Billing is one of the 10 paragliding locations in the world and right at the top in Asia, due to its altitude, required thermal currents, and the verdant green surroundings in the Himalayan foothills. The nearest destination to Bir Billing is Dharamsala. Bir is a hub for eco-tourism, spiritual studies, meditation, and a Tibetan refugee settlement with Buddhist monasteries and a large stupa. While Billing is the take-off site for paragliding, Bir village is meant for landing.

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MP tourism offers work from home setup in a jungle

Currently, Madhya Pradesh is offering this unique concept in peaceful and scenic jungle resorts including the White Tiger Forest Lodge (Bandhavgarh); Bison Retreat, Satpura National Park; Kipling’s Court (Pench National Park); Champak Bungalow in Pachmarhi; Sailani Island (Omkareshwar). Madhya Pradesh tourism board has launched the innovative Workcation, with a unique concept. It is a work from home setup with a jungle, riverbank, or a mountain, and is no less than a dream. Coming to your rescue, the Madhya Pradesh Tourism Board brings to you a perfect office lay-out, where you can carry on with your regular work, along with a chance to travel around, be with nature, and rejuvenate their regular lives at the same time. Referring to this, MP Tourism Development Corporation MD S Vishwanathan said that work from home has become a reality during this ongoing pandemic. As such, they have identified five properties that will attract such employees, whereas some more properties will be developed on the same theme later. Reportedly, Madhya Pradesh’s tourism industry was severely hit due to the lockdown, the reason why the state government will now be setting up five work stations during the first phase, where people will be provided internet connectivity and electricity. Currently, Madhya Pradesh is offering this unique concept in peaceful and scenic jungle resorts including the White Tiger Forest Lodge (Bandhavgarh); Bison Retreat, Satpura National Park; Kipling’s Court (Pench National Park); Champak Bungalow in Pachmarhi; Sailani Island (Omkareshwar). All these resorts and hotels situated at beautiful locations, offering panoramic views of meadows all around, will definitely serve as a great therapy for your body and mind. If you are anxious about safety and precautionary measures, all these facilities come equipped with medical and first-aid facilities, high-speed internet connectivity, comfortable stay, power backup, fresh and healthy food, along with room service, following all the essential norms and protocols with regards to hygiene, safety, sanitization etc.

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Taj Mahal to reopen after six months on September 21

After remaining closed for tourists for due to Covid-19, the Taj Mahal will finally reopen on September 21 after a six-month gap. Agra District Magistrate Prabhu N Singh said that the Agra Fort will also reopen, along with the Taj Mahal, on September 21 in full conformance with the Covid-19 protocols issued by the Centre as well as the UP government. Singh said that entry to the Taj Mahal has been limited to 5,000 tourists in a day while only 2,500 tourists will be allowed into the Agra Fort on a daily basis. Former chairman of Agra Tourism Guild Arun Dang said that this is the first time in history when the Taj Mahal has remained closed for so long. "The extent of damage it has caused to the tourism industry of Agra is incalculable," Arun Dang said. Agra Tourist Welfare Chamber president Prahalad Agarwal said that before reopening the Taj Mahal and Agra Fort, it is necessary that international flights and trains to the city resume. Agra MP SP Singh Baghel said that when the main markets of the city are open then there is no point in keeping the Taj Mahal closed. "The closure of this monument has nearly destroyed the tourism industry of Agra and until it is reopened, there is no possibility of any improvement in the city's economy," Baghel said. Notably, the Taj Mahal was among the country's first public places to be closed in March due to the growing Covid-19 threat, even before the nationwide lockdown was announced. The reopening of the monument is expected to bring a large number of domestic tourists to Agra which could give some boost to the dead tourism sector of the city.

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Water tourism to resume with 50% capacity in Madhya Pradesh

Bhopal: The Madhya Pradesh government on Sunday allowed resumption of water tourism in the state with 50 per cent capacity and asked boat and cruise operators to strictly follow COVID-19 prevention guidelines. Water tourism activities in the state were shut since March when the lockdown was enforced to curb the spread of the deadly viral infection. "Boats and cruises used for tourism and water sports at various locations in Madhya Pradesh can now be run with 50 per cent of the total capacity of tourists," state tourism department's principal secretary Shivshekhar Shukla said in a statement. Boat operators and their staff will need to undergo regular medical check-ups and submit self-declaration forms that if found infected with coronavirus, they will immediately inform the local administration and management, he said. Guidelines issued to prevent the spread of COVID-19 will have to be followed during the operation of water sports facilities, he said. Boat operators will also need to maintain a record of visitors and tourists, including their names, contact numbers, address, body temperature and Aadhaar card number, he said. They are also directed to sanitise their boats and other equipment after every use, and entry on a boat club campus without a mask will not be allowed, the official said. All those present on the boat club campus will need to follow the social distancing norms, he said. Visitors will be allowed entry in the boat club through paperless tickets, he added. There are nearly a dozen water tourism spots in the state, including in Bhopal, Hanuwantia (Khandwa), Tawa dam (Hoshangabad), Bargi dam (Jabalpur), Sailani island (Khandwa), Orchha (Niwari) among others, tourism department officials said.

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