Karnataka rolls out new safety guidelines to attract tourists

Karnataka has come out with a set of protocols to ensure safety for tourists.

Self-declaration by guests and tour operators about their preparedness for various tourist destinations, safety and hygiene status, social distancing requirements and awareness of the pandemic are all part of the new guidelines.

“The Covid-19 pandemic has presented unprecedented challenges for the tourism sector across the world. In this aftermath, health and safety of people is of utmost importance for the government. With the tourism industry expected to resume operations over the coming months, it is necessary to have protocols in place that can ensure hygiene and safety for all tourism stakeholders,” said Karnataka Minister for Tourism, Kannada and Culture CT Ravi.

Karnataka’s tourism protocols or SOPs need to be followed by tourism service providers in the State, and have been compiled based on inputs from all stakeholders.

“The State has given the tourism sector importance, for it is a vital economic driver for the government and stakeholders, and steps are necessary to support the sector to emerge from this crisis stronger, resilient and better,” said Ravi.

For this to materialise, collaboration between the government, industry and tourists is necessary. “With this, we can ensure that even in this new normal, visiting Karnataka continues to be a safe and memorable experience,” he added.

The state’s total number of Covid cases stood at 5760, and total deaths at 64. Of the 308 new cases, 277 had inter-State travel history to Maharastra, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Rajasthan and one is an international traveller from UAE.

In the districts, returnees from Maharashtra continue to worry the State, with Kalaburgi reporting the highest number cases at 99, followed by Yadgair (66), Bidar (48), Udupi (45) and Bengaluru Urban (18).