In a bid to welcome the monsoon season in style, the Maharashtra administration has reopened popular hillstations Mahabaleshwar and Panchgani from June 21. Before you pack your bags and get ready for a much-needed break, here’s what you must know. All the viewing points in these hill stations will remain closed for eight more days. Most importantly, if you’re planning to visit Mahableshwar or Panchgani for a day, you don’t need to carry a negative Covid-19 report. But if you wish to stay longer, then it’s compulsory to carry an RT-PCR Test report or a Rapid Antigen Test (RAT), taken not more than 72 hours prior to the visit.
Mahabaleshwar & Panchgani Welcomes Tourists Again
Mahabaleshwar and Panchgani are two of the best places to soak in the monsoon season in all its glory. A trek up the majestic Pratapgad Fort, perched atop a mountain or a visit to the Lingmala Waterfall are some of the most sought after activities in Mahabaleshwar. Panchgani is the perfect abode to lay down your hair and just enjoy the art of doing nothing. The stunning view of lush greenery, cloudy and cool weather is really cosy and romantic. Well, now tourists can excitedly visit Mahabaleshwar and Panchgani for a much-needed monsoon holiday.
Covid Negative Test Report Mandatory For Tourists Staying Overnight
You can visit these hill station without a negative Covid test report if you are here for just a day trip. But if you plan to stay the night at a hotel, resort, homestay, private bungalow, or farmhouse, you need to mandatorily carry a Rapid Antigen Test (RAT) or RT-PCR Test report, taken not more than 72 hours prior to the visit. Hotel owners have received standard operating procedures from the government for the same. Rohan Komti, the secretary of Giristhan hotel owners’ association revealed to TOI that all their hotel employees will undergo RtT-PCR tests every 10 days and will be inoculated whenever vaccinations are available.
Also Read: Mahabaleshwar To Be Develop Venna Lake & Shopping Area With Eco Friendly Initiatives
New Rules To Follow In Mahabaleshwar & Panchgani
When you visit Mahabaleshwar and Panchgani, do keep in mind that tourist viewing points like Lodwick Point, Arthur’s Seat, Venna Lake will remain closed for the next seven days. The decision to open them will be taken next week. The market will be open from 8 am to 4 pm. Tourists can roam around the city, shop for souvenirs and real in hotel rooms, but they cannot visit viewing points. Sub-divisional officer, Sangita Chougle Rajapurkar informed that all shops were closed up till now, but traders have welcomed the move to keep shops open till 4 pm.
So travel enthusiasts, do keep these rules in mind, sanitise your hands, take Covid tests if necessary, wear masks and maintain social distancing. Hope you have a safe and sound holiday in Mahabaleshwar and Panchgani.