Govt asks DCs to hold consultation with stakeholders for reopening of tourist spots

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaJuly 16, 2021

The state government has asked the respective deputy commissioners to hold consultations with stakeholders for reopening of the tourist spots across the state.

“We have asked the deputy commissioners to have consultations to find out if we can start the tourism sector in a safe manner (and have) options like local tourists, vaccinated tourists, limited tourists etc,” Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma told reporters on Friday.

Stating that the tourism industry has suffered a lot due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, Sangma said, “Therefore, we are trying to now see how we could try to relax the tourism activity but without increasing the risk of spreading COVID-19.”

He said the government has already allowed people who are fully vaccinated to come into the state without being tested and is looking forward whether the same yardstick can be used for the tourists in a limited manner.

“So we have asked the deputy commissioners to start engaging with the tour operators, health department together and all the stakeholders and see if we can slowly start relaxing tourism sector also,” he added.

Taking into consideration that a lot of marriages had to be postponed due to the pandemic, the Chief Minister informed that the deputy commissioners are also asked to discuss with the religious organizations and groups to ensure marriages are allowed to take place by maintaining strict protocols.

He further informed that the inter-district movement of vehicles is also being examined because lots of people are facing difficulties.

“The DCs have been asked to see the pros and cons but by next week we will be able to take some more major decisions on more relaxation in the COVID situation,” the CM said while informing that the government will allow commercial vehicles  to operate up to 30 percent in Shillong and 50 percent in rural areas.

He also pointed out that there is a sense of more relaxation happening and a sense of economic activities picking up and the government is trying to ensure that “we don’t allow too much of it so that the COVID does not spread again.”

Meanwhile, the chief minister said that the government is focusing a lot on vaccination.  

“We are touching 16,000 vaccination per day a jump up from the 10,000 which were last week and by next week we are sure will be touching 20,000 figure and if that happens, that will be a very positive thing and if we are able to touch 20,000 shots per day then hopefully by September and early October will be able to saturate our population,” he added.