Travel Restrictions Lifted in Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh
Each travel restriction on inter-state and inter-district travel has been lifted, by the Uttarakhand state government. Including travel restrictions for international travellers! If you missed visiting the mountains in the summer, now is the time that you can visit it. However, do read through the official guidelines before you plan a trip up the hills. The guidelines issued on 02nd July affirms that anyone entering Uttarakhand from any other state of India must upload their COVID-19 test report on the official website. Additionally, district authorities will verify medical reports, of all commuters at all border check-posts.
As per latest news, homestays and hotels will open, except for those in the containment zones. It will be the hotel’s responsibility to assure that each guest undergoes RT-PCR test from an ICMR authorised lab. The report must indicate that the guest has tested COVID-19 negative. The said report cannot be earlier than 72 hours from the time of arrival. International tourists desiring to enter Uttarakhand need to first, register themselves on the state’s official web portal.
They must also, be ready, to endure home/institutional quarantine for seven days. As of now, only inter-district travellers have been ‘exempted’ from quarantine, however, they will still have to register on the website prior to the journey. Visitors must stay for a minimum of 7 days to however long they want.
The newest reports hint that the Himachal Pradesh government might open tourism from mid-July. CM Jai Ram Thakur, announced, that HP tourism will re-open shortly, however, interested travellers will need to follow state guidelines. The Standard Operating Procedures will ensure that HP tourism runs smoothly without any obstructions. Tourists will have to compulsorily, show COVID-19-negative test reports upon entry.
This report must be obtained from an ICMR approved lab. Himachal Pradesh’s Chief Minister said 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.” So far, the cumulative coronavirus cases in HP is 1046, with nine reported deaths.
