Contrary to the expectation from the government during Unlock-4, the state government has made stringent regulations which have jolted all those earning their livelihood from tourism and related activities. The hotel and restaurant association head Dinesh Sah said this while addressing the media here.
He alleged that the government is ignoring the condition of tourism. “The government should provide testing facility at the state’s entry points and let the tourists in. However, the government has made stricter rules which are hitting the tourism industry harder. Instead of using government property, the administration has made quarantine and other centres related to Covid-19 in hotels. The authorities have not clarified as to how long this will continue. The hotels are open but the officials state that if any positive case is found in a hotel, the establishment will be sealed and action will be taken against the hotel owner which is not justified. If tourists are reaching Nainital without getting their rapid tests done, it means they are being allowed by the administration. Considering this, talk of action against the hotel owner seems illogical,” said Sah.
He further said that the hotel industry has suffered losses amounting to more than Rs 500 crore during the six month period of the Covid-19 pandemic so far. Even when the hotels were closed, there was no difference in the water and electricity bills, which Sah said is wrong.
The hotel association had talked to the local MLA, chief secretary and even the chief minister but their situation is being ignored, he averred.
Wednesday, 09 September 2020 | PNS | Nainital
