A visit to Spiti may be on the cards soon, as the destination decides to reopen for tourism from February 17 onwards. The Spiti Tourism Society released a statement saying that hoteliers, panchayats, travel agents, mahila mandals, and community leaders have jointly decided to reopen the valley for tourism. Mentioning that the valley has remained incomplete this past year, the statement further says that the region is looking forward to welcoming tourists.
However, the order comes with a strict set of guidelines that must be followed by all concerned. Travelling during the pandemic can be tricky, and it is everyone’s responsibility to make sure that the holidays do not have an adverse impact on the environment or humanity in any way. These below mentioned guidelines must be followed –
- Tourists will not be permitted to enter Khibber village, and Khibber wildlife habitat. This is because the village has decided against hosting travellers at this time.
- Tour operators need to ensure that all travellers going to Spiti have gotten their RAT/RT-PCR test done from an authorised lab/hospital. The test needs to be taken 72 to 96 hours before reaching the valley.
- All those who are entering into Spiti independently, including drivers, must report to a government hospital to take a rapid test.
- Hotels and homestays need to ensure that all guests have been tested before they venture outdoors.
- Social distancing must be maintained at all times, at all costs, and individuals must wear masks outside of their rented accommodation.
Above all, tourists must keep themselves safe, and ensure the safety of the locals.