Uttarakhand Travel Update: Interstate Bus Services Resumes After 6 Months

by Tania Tarafdar
Uttarakhand Travel Update: Interstate Bus Services Resumes After 6 Months

There is a piece of great news for all those wishing to visit Uttarakhand. The state government has permitted to restart inter-state bus operations. However, passengers will only be accommodated according to the allowed capacity. The UTC will give a green signal to run inter-state buses only after coordinating with the transport corporations of other states. Strict Covid-19 guidelines will have to be followed during the operation of bus services. Wearing of masks and thermal screening would be mandatory.

Also read: Uttarakhand Builds A Snow Leopard Park To Boost Tourism In State

Hindon Airport
Picture Credit: Go Ibibo

Uttarakhand Travel Guidelines

Uttarakhand government had also eased the travel restrictions imposed. According to the new guidelines, you will no longer need mandatory negative Covid-19 reports or minimum two-day booking at hotels. Tourists will have to, however, register the modes of transportation they will use to travel. The guidelines also direct the management of hotels to immediately inform district administrations if any guest is found Covid-19 positive. Earlier, tourists travelling to Uttarakhand had to book a minimum two-day stay and compulsorily to register on the Dehradun Smart City Limited website before their travel.

The Government Announced Tourist Incentive Coupon

Just a few days back, Uttarakhand Government had come up with this fantastic initiative called Tourist Incentive Coupon under which tourists visiting Uttrakhand would be offered 1000 for their accommodation. The offer was announced in an attempt to lure back tourists to the famous hill stations like Nainital and Mussoorie. 

Kedarnath
Picture Credits: Naidunia

Hotels In Uttarakhand To Provide COVID-19 Testing Facilities

The guidelines also mentioned that hotels could tie-up with private labs to provide Covid-19 testing at the hotels. If anyone is found Covid-19 positive, then the hotel management will inform the district administration immediately.

Uttarakhand Recorded A Surge In Cases

Tourism activities have gradually started in Uttarakhand to revive the state’s economy and prevent further loss of jobs in the hospitality sector. However, within a month of opening the door for tourists, Uttarakhand recorded 21,401 new cases. This is 64% of the total cases reported so far in the hill state. The spike in the cases does not come as good news to the locals and the tourists travelling to Uttarakhand. 

Picture Credits: Uttarakhand Tourism

People Are Still Lax About Following Precautionary Measures

Even as the number of cases in the state continues to rise, people appear pretty relaxed in following proper precautionary measures like wearing masks and social distancing at public places. Foreign Tourist Yells At Uttarakhand Policeman, Refuses To Wear Mask & Says Coronavirus Doesn’t Exist

Picture Credit: Wikimedia Commons

The Recovery Rate Is Lower Than The National Average Recovery Rate

Did you know that the state had recorded its first positive case on March 15, when it had tested only 32 samples? In the past six months, the state has tested over 5.25 lakh samples and found 33,016 people infected with the novel coronavirus. Over 22,077 patients have recovered, setting the recovery rate at 66.87%, which is again lower than the national average recovery rate of 78.28%. The state has so far recorded 429 Covid-19 deaths. Uttarakhand To Have India’s First Snow Leopard Conservation Centre And Six City Forests.

char dham
Picture Credits: uttarakhandtourism

According to analysis, the spike in the cases was found in the past month from August 14 to September 14. This was the time when people from other states were being allowed in Uttarakhand. In the same time, 2.79 lakh samples were tested, 282 people lost their lives which are 65 per cent of the total deaths. Of the total 429 deaths reported across the state till Monday, 48 per cent deaths were from Dehradun, the temporary state capital.

To cut long story short, it can be extremely risky to travel right now. Till then enjoy this video of the world’s biggest tulip garden in Uttarakhand.