Latest Update – The boundaries of Himachal Pradesh will be open to all. To come to the state, no person will have to get registration in Covid-19 e-pass. Tourists will not have to bring negative report of Covid nor advance booking in hotels. There will also be no quarantine coming from other stats. This decision was taken in the meeting of Jairam Cabinet on Tuesday.

The current lockdown conditions will stand imposed on the containment zones in the state. Any movement of inter-state transport buses is still barred, keeping in mind the still climbing numbers of Coronavirus positive cases in the country. Those keen to visit the state need to stick to all the rules of contact tracing and those arriving from high-risk zones will have to undergo institutional quarantine.

Tourism industry is the major revenue source for the state, with many beautiful destinations in Himachal Pradesh. The state government has provided a lot more facilities for tourists to visit the hill stations and places with ease and providing full support and facilities for their wonderful trip , the only thing tourists need to take care of is the safety measures which state government has announced for their safety.

Tests Required

The visiting tourist can opt to get Trunaat/CB Naat Test (negative report) as an alternative to RT-PCR test. However, they need to bear in mind that the test needs to be done from an authorized/accredited laboratory, and not less than 96 hours before entering the state border.

The 96-hour timeline will be counted till the state border, and not for any internal checkpoints.

Tourists will need to get registered themselves on the state’s official website, i.e., www.covid19epass.hp.gov, which should not be at least 24 hours before visiting the state under a tourist category.

Children less than 10 years of age can skip the mandatory testing procedure, provided the adults accompanying him have undergone tests, and have requisite proofs regarding the same.

Quarantine

The minimum duration of stay has been reduced to two nights across multiple locations.

The driver, if just dropping off the travelers, will not be required to undergo a quarantine process.

Travel

Himachal Pradesh to Allow Inter-State Movement Without E-Pass from 16th September

Anyone visiting Himachal should stay for at least 2-night hotel booking

Hotels

Hotels have been advised to train all staff and form a ‘Rapid Response Team’ to prevent incidents, effectively manage crises and mitigate impact among guests, staff and other involved parties. There will be a ‘Rapid Response Leader’ from higher management and ‘Rapid Response Officers’ from each and every operational teams. The team will be responsible for promoting key messages for guests and staff, such as washing hands frequently, respiratory hygiene, basic hygiene practices and more.

The teams will have to put up informative posters at appropriate places, informing about the Do’s and Don’ts to the guests, Emergency helpline numbers and organise awareness activities for guests and staff.

The Do’s and Don’ts for guests include:

1. Wearing masks whenever outside room
2. Clothes to not be washed inside the room
3. Don’t interact with other room’s guests
4. No visitors to be allowed inside rooms
5. Doors to be kept closed and contact with door knob to be avoided

The Do’s and Don’ts for staff include:

1. Hotel staff to restrict movement around guest rooms
2. Staff to maintain minimum 2m (6ft) with guests and other staff members
3. Staff to adhere to zero touch policy
4. Staff to wear mask at all times

Hotel staff and guests have been advised to install the AarogyaSetu app for survey and check-in purposes. According to the guidelines, guests cannot go up to the staff if they need anything, all contact has to be through intercoms or mobile phones.

Hotels have been advised to train all staff and form a ‘Rapid Response Team’ to prevent incidents, effectively manage crises and mitigate impact among guests, staff and other involved parties. There will be a ‘Rapid Response Leader’ from higher management and ‘Rapid Response Officers’ from each and every operational teams. The team will be responsible for promoting key messages for guests and staff, such as washing hands frequently, respiratory hygiene, basic hygiene practices and more. The teams will have to put up informative posters at appropriate places, informing about the Do’s and Don’ts to the guests, Emergency helpline numbers and organise awareness activities for guests and staff.

When you return home

You have to undergo quarantine as per your state’s protocol.

For example, if someone from Delhi visits Himachal, then on return they have to undergo home quarantine for 7 days.

However, if they show symptoms on arrival, they will be sent to institutional quarantine. This would differ from state to state.