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MP Tourism launches social media campaign ‘Intezaar aapka…’ to attract tourists post-Covid

BHOPAL: The MP Tourism Development Corporation has launched a social media campaign to draw tourists to the state, post the corona lockdown. The campaign with tagline ‘Intezaar aapka…’ (we are waiting for you) is aimed to draw potential visitors to tourist destinations in the state. “The campaign has been launched on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter,” corporation additional managing director Sonia Meena said. The campaign promises visitors, ‘Safe travel, safe stay and safe tour’. The tourist destinations being promoted through campaign include Amarkantak, Panchmari, Kanha, Bandhavgarh and Ujjain. The corporation is ready with tour packages of different durations that can suit the pockets of different income groups of people.

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Himachal Pradesh plans to open up for tourism

Himachal Pradesh lockdown is over much like the rest of the country, but tourism is still not operational. However, latest news reports suggest that the Himachal Pradesh government might be opening up for tourism from next week. Chief Minister, Jai Ram Thakur said that the state is opening up for tourism with guidelines that are required to be followed by interested travellers. According to reports, Himachal Tourism will come up with some Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), so that tourism in the state can function smoothly without any hiccups during this time. One of the things that is already mentioned by the state government is that it is making it mandatory for tourists to show test reports for negative COVID-19 upon entry. Furthermore, the report must be furnished from an Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) recognised lab. The Ministry of Home Affairs has now confirmed that tourists will not be restricted from moving around the state. However, following the SOPs is important at the same time. The Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh said in a statement to the media, "We have taken up the matter to MHA that registrations would be mandatory and we would keep a record if someone is tested positive and this record will help in contact tracing. As far as tourism is concerned, the tourists will have to come minimum for five to seven days and SOPs would be issued by Monday." The good news in all this for the state is that there were no new cases of COVID-19 in the state of Himachal Pradesh in the last 24 hours. The total number of coronavirus cases in Himachal Pradesh is 1046, with 326 active ones, with 9 reported deaths.

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India extends international commercial air travel ban till July 31

India's aviation regulator Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) yesterday announced that International air travel to and from India will remain suspended till July 31. The circular released by DGCA stated, 'In partial modification of circular dated 26-06-2020, the competent authority has extended the validity of circular issued regarding Scheduled International commercial passenger services to & from India till 2359 hrs IST of 31st July 2020. This restriction shall not apply to international all-cargo operations and flights specifically approved by DGCA.' Just last week DGCA had announced that international air travel will remain suspended till July 15 and yesterday the DGCA extended this till the end of July. An official in DGCA on the condition of anonymity said, 'This decision has been taken after assessing the COVID situation in the country. Now the cases have started rising by almost 20,000 per day and it doesn't look like the situation will improve till July 31.' Anticipating a further rise in cases of coronavirus the Ministry of Civil Aviation has taken this decision. However, this circular also mentions, 'International Scheduled flights may be allowed on selected routes by the competent authority on case to case basis.' This refers to finalizing air bubbles or air bridges with some countries. A senior official in Ministry of Civil Aviation told Times Now, 'negotiations are underway with a few countries but nothing has been finalised yet.' Indian Govt has received requests from concerned authorities in several countries including the US, France, Germany among others asking if they can be allowed to participate in the transportation of passengers along the line being conducted by Air India under Vande Bharat Mission. As per the information provided by Civil Aviation Minister, Hardeep Puri India began Vande Bharat Mission to bring back around 190K stranded citizens but since 6th May nearly 445K people have already returned to India. Hardeep Singh Puri also wrote on Twitter, “We began VBM to bring back about 190K stranded citizens. But when numbers grew manifold we ramped up the mission. Since 6th May, nearly 445K people have returned on VBM (170K) & chartered flights including foreign charters (275K). More are expected to return in Phase-4.”

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England unlocks travel with 59 countries

England has unlocked travel to and from 59 countries by lifting quarantine requirements, but visitors from the United States will still be subject to restrictions, the UK government said Friday. Officials have revealed a new "travel corridor" list, with travelers from 59 nations -- including France, Germany, Italy and Spain -- and 14 British Overseas Territories no longer having to self-isolate for 14 days on arrival. The list, which comes into effect on July 10, will open foreign travel to English holidaymakers after four months of lockdown, just in time for the peak travel period, provided there are no restrictions in place at the destinations. "This applies to all travel to England, by train, ferry, coach, air or any other route," the statement added. For now, the so-called travel corridors will only apply to England, with information for travel into Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland will be published in due course, the UK government said. Here are the countries and territories that are part of the "travel corridor" list: Andorra, Germany, New Zealand, Antigua and Barbuda, Greece, Norway, Aruba, Greenland, Poland, Australia, Grenada, Réunion, Austria, Guadeloupe, San Marino, Bahamas, Hong Kong, Serbia, Barbados, Hungary, Seychelles, Belgium, Iceland, South Korea, Bonaire, Sint Eustatius and Saba, Italy, Spain, Croatia, Jamaica, St Barthélemy, Curaçao, Japan, St Kitts and Nevis, Cyprus, Liechtenstein, St Lucia, Czech Republic, Lithuania, St Pierre and Miquelon, Denmark, Luxembourg, Switzerland, Dominica, Macau, Taiwan, Faroe Islands, Malta, Trinidad and Tobago, Fiji, Mauritius, Turkey, Finland, Monaco, Vatican City, France, Netherlands, Vietnam, French Polynesia, New Caledonia

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Goa reopens for domestic tourists today, check guidelines

One of the most travelled and preferred beach getaway, Goa has been opened for domestic tourist from Friday (July 3, 2020) amid the coronavirus pandemic. Goa Tourism Minister Manohar Ajgaonkar gave the information and said that over 250 hotels will resume operations in the state. "We have decided to allow domestic travellers to enter Goa from July 2 onwards provided they comply with certain norms," Ajgaonkar said. The Goa government has issued guidelines and regulations in three stages: before travel, during travel and on arrival. Here's the full guidelines for tourists travelling to Goa. (1) Pre-booking hotel is mandatory. Only the hotels with the highest safety and hygiene stands have been allowed to open. (2) Fill up a self-declaration form which will be available at the pre-booked hotel. (3) Quarantine upon arrival is not required (carry a COVID-19 negative certificate from last 48 hours or get tested in Goa at your own cost). Travel: Tourists can enter by road (Dodamarg, Patradevi, Keri, Mollem, Pollem), air (Dabolim International Airport) and train (Madgaon, Thivim and Vasco da Gama). On arrival: (1.) At every respective entry point, tourists, upon arrival, will undergo basic screening through a thermal gun. (2.) Get mandatory documents checked bat tourism kiosks (see before travel). (3.) Tourists’ swab sample will be collected at state entry points; those with COVID-19 certificate can skip the next two steps. (4.) Check-in at your accommodation and stay in isolation for two weeks until the result comes. (5.) Your results will come in 1-2 days. If negative, you can stay in Goa; however, if positive, institution quarantine will be required. Over 250 hotels across Goa reopened on Thursday after state government’s order. Goa’s current coronavirus count stands at nearly 1,400.

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All Monuments in India to Open to Public ‘With Complete Precautions’ From July 6

New Delhi: In a huge development for the travel and tourism department, the central government on Thursday announced that all monuments across India will reopen on July 6, including those where religious events take place. “I have decided that all monuments can be opened with complete precautions from 6th July,” announced Union Culture Minister Prahlad Singh Patel, adding that the decision will also be taken in compliance with individual state and district administrations. As many as 3,691 ASI monuments, including popular tourist spots like Taj Mahal and Red Fort, closed their gates on March 17 due to the deadly outbreak of coronavirus infection. Once open to the general public, they will follow strict safety protocols and social distancing norms as issued by the Health Ministry and the Ministry of Home Affairs. Earlier in June, the culture ministry had reopened 820 centrally-protected religious monuments like Tirumala Tirupati Balaji in Andhra Pradesh, as part of the Centre’s phased exit from shutdown, better known as ‘Unlock 1’. Official sources have already said that wearing of masks might be made the norm at such sites for visitors. A detailed SOP will be issued by the central ministry in the upcoming days.

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