Meghalaya issued SOP’s for Local Tourists
Meghalaya Tourism Department has issued a detailed Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for a phase-wise re-opening of tourist destinations within the state.
“Tourism Department is conscious of the impact COVID-19 has had on the growing tourism industry in the state and therefore understands that it is crucial to draw up a detailed Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for a phase wise re-opening of tourist destinations within the state that reassures all stakeholders involved,” said Dr. D. Vijay Kumar, IAS), Commissioner and Secretary, Tourism Department, Govt of Meghalaya in a notification issued.
To ensure that tourist destinations follow all the health and safety protocols to prevent the spread of COVID-19, the following protocol is hereby notified:
Responsibility for Preparedness of a Tourist Destination
1. The management of the ticketed tourist destination shall be responsible for the general preparedness of the destination, with an aim to prevent cases, effectively manage cases, and mitigate impact among the tourists visiting the destination. The management referred to in these guidelines may include Government Department or Corporation/Society/Community Body or any other management by whatever name be called who is responsible for overall management and administration of the tourist destination concerned.
2. The management of the tourist destination shall constitute a COVID-19 Management Team that shall be responsible for various activities like implementation of crowd management including social distancing, screening of tourists, hygiene and sanitation, awareness and training of staff and visitors as per these guidelines. Each team should appoint a Coordinator who will be responsible for coordinating with the State Government.
Carrying Capacity of Tourist Destination
3. Each Tourist Destination shall notify its “Carrying Capacity” which shall be defined as the maximum number of visitors that a destination can accommodate and still achieve the measures of social distancing. The tourist destination carrying capacity at any point of time shall be calculated based on social distancing norms that allows for minimum 2 metres (6 feet) of physical distancing per person. Once defined the carrying capacity shall be notified by the management of the tourist destination such that at any point of time the maximum number of tourists at the destination shall not exceed the Carrying Capacity.
4. Online Ticketing and pre-booking of entry tickets is encouraged to avoid crowding at ticket counters. While in the initial phase manual tickets can be issued to strictly enforce social distancing and to not exceed the carrying capacity as defined for each tourist destination, the Tourism Department through the Check into Nature App will be coming out with online booking and contactless entry. Based on the carrying capacity ticketing may be issued for defined timeslots (x number of visitors for a defined timeslot for example 1 hour). The duration of opening of the tourist destination should be published and defined.
General Guidelines for Safety and Hygiene
5. All tourist destination staff must wear face masks and single use gloves mandatorily while performing their duties at the property.
6. A safe physical distance of at least 2 metres (6 feet) should always be mandatorily maintained by all while at the premises of the destination.
7. 2 metres (6 feet) physical distance markings at all waiting areas like entrance, ticketing should be done for tourists to stand during the queue.
8. Hand sanitizer is to be made available at all tourist destination entry points and ticketing counters for the drivers & tourists entering the destination.
9. All staff/tourists shall be strictly screened using thermal gun/scanner by designated trained person at entry by holding the scanner 3 to 15 cm away from the person’s forehead and anybody having fever (equal to or more than 37.50C/99.50F), cold, cough, sore throat, difficulty in breathing shall not be allowed entry and should be immediately reported to the concerned authorities.
10. Spitting is to be strictly prohibited and fine is to be imposed on all offenders as per relevant sections of the law.
11. Gaming Arcades/Children play areas (wherever applicable) shall remain closed.
12. Disposal of waste by the tourists will not be allowed at the tourist spots. Tourists are to compulsorily dispose the waste generated by them at the designated areas or carry back the waste to be disposed later at a proper area.
13. Garbage/waste bags are to be made readily available on payment at the tourist spots.
14. Facility for hand washing to be made available at designated places.
15. Drinking water stations to be made available at designated places wherever possible.
Protocol for Entry into Tourist Destination
16. All tourists to compulsorily always wear facemasks during entry and during their visit to the tourist destination. Those not wearing facemasks shall not be allowed to enter.
17. All tourists including drivers shall be strictly screened using thermal gun/scanner by designated trained person at entry by holding the scanner 3 to 15 cm away from the person’s forehead and anybody having fever (equal to more than 37.50C/99.50F), cold, cough, sore throat, difficulty in breathing shall not be allowed entry and should be immediately reported to the concerned authorities. They should be politely asked to return.
18. The staff performing screening should be trained on the screening procedure. They should wear the appropriate protective gears as per the guidelines.
19. All visitors to provide basic personal information when visiting the destination, including name, phone number, address. This record to be the properly maintained by the management of the tourist destination. This is done to ensure contact tracing related activity if required. The Tourism Department through the Check into Nature App will soon ensure that the details are digitized and available through the App.
20. The Management of the tourist destination to designate a containment room or an isolation area for tourists or staff with potential COVID-19 symptoms. The visitor with the symptom and people accompanying him/her should all be moved to the containment area, and the concerned district administration should be notified by the COVID Coordinator at the earliest.
21. Persons above 65 years of age, persons with comorbidities, pregnant women and children below the age of 10 years are advised to stay at home. Management of the tourist destination to advise accordingly.
Cleaning of Common Areas
22. All common areas to be cleaned daily.
23. Seating/lounging areas to be readjusted to accommodate physical distancing guidelines to allow 2 metres (6 feet) of space between individuals or family units.
24. In case of deep or normal cleaning, staff must wear face masks and gloves during the cleaning process.
25. Staff must sanitize their hands or wash their hands with soap before & after the cleaning process.
26. Use of toilets should be avoided at Tourist Destinations. However, toilets should be cleaned as frequently as possible using sodium hypochlorite and staff should have designated toilets separate from the ones used for the tourists.
Food Shops and Other Shops inside the Tourist Destination
27. Shops selling snacks, cafeteria, souvenir shops inside the tourist destination should follow all the health and hygiene protocols including the wearing of masks, handwashing, social distancing and all protocols laid down in these guidelines. All staff of such shops will also be screened on entry to the tourist destination.
28. Entry of tourists to the souvenir shops/ restaurants at the tourist spots is to be properly regulated by the management with menu boards and price lists clearly displayed.
29. Seating arrangements inside any restaurant inside the Tourist Destination to be re-arranged keeping in mind social distancing norms.
30. Those tourist destinations having restaurants should follow the SOP for Restaurants issued vide TOURISM.22/2020 dated Shillong, 16th June, 2020.
31. To prevent over-crowding in the vicinity of the tourist spots, no new stalls should be allowed, except with the expression permission of the competent authority.
Boating Facilities
32. All boat ramp/ launch deck shall practice social distancing. Staff and visitors should allow appropriate space on the boat ramp or launch deck and clear the ramp immediately when the launch is complete.
33. On return to the ramp/ launch deck after boating, users should disembark quickly and as safely as possible and clear the launch area.
34. Masks and face coverings should always be worn in public and proper social distancing is to be maintained while boating.
35. Wherever possible only persons from the same household/family if travelling together should be on a boat at one time. No gatherings or groups of persons from multiple households are to be permitted on the boat ramps or launch deck.
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