Mandatory COVID-19 test for tourists from Kerala drives down visitors to the Nilgiris
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A steep discount in footfall witnessed at key sights like parks and gardens
The variety of tourists coming to the Nilgiris from Kerala has come down in the previous few days after the district administration introduced that they might have to endure a COVID-19 test earlier than entry.
Collector J. Innocent Divya mentioned all tourists from Kerala ought to have undergone a test earlier than visiting the Nilgiris. Those who have been coming in with out taking the test could be examined at border checkpoints. The measure has been taken in view of the improve in the variety of infections in Kerala, and to test the unfold of the contagion in the district.
The restriction has discouraged visitors, although it doesn’t bar any vacationer from the Nilgiris, mentioned a resort proprietor in Udhagamandalam.
“We have had people calling us up and asking about the new ‘restriction’ and have had many people cancel reservations because they do not want to undergo the test,” he mentioned.
The knowledge from the Horticulture Department has confirmed that there was a steep discount in the arrival of tourists since the new measure was introduced, with the peak vacationer footfall falling steeply, particularly at weekends.
Before the announcement, the variety of visitors to seven parks and gardens — the Kallar horticulture farm, Kattery Park, Tea Park, Rose Garden, the Government Botanical Garden, Arboretum and Sims Park — averaged out at greater than 15,000 a day final weekend. However, on February 27, solely 7,738 tourists visited these parks and gardens.
“At the Government Botanical Garden, 11,482 visitors came last Sunday, but the number came down to 4,343 this Saturday,” mentioned an official of the Horticulture Department.
He mentioned a majority of the tourists visiting the Nilgiris are from Kerala, and it was clear that the new rule had saved them away.
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