HBI Staff | Hyderabad 
According to The Print,The Narendra Modi government is considering resumption of tourism and hospitality sectors, which have suffered a massive blow due to the Covid-19 lockdown.
The Ministry of Tourism is currently preparing guidelines for hotels and tour operators, which they need to adhere to once they resume their businesses.
“Our first priority is to maintain the safety of everyone due to the ongoing outbreak of Covid-19. Protocols and guidelines are being prepared for hotels, tour operators and taxi drivers. These guidelines are being prepared in consultation with the states. Their suggestions have also been included,” Rupinder Brar, Additional Director General of the Ministry of Tourism, told.
According to the proposed guidelines, the government could make downloading of Aarogya Setu app mandatory for tourists booking hotel rooms. This apart, all employees working in hotels will have to undergo thermal screening daily.
An official from the ministry, who didn’t want to be named, said: “Right now, work is going on with special focus on some upcoming festivals. Discussions are being held with all the states. Different guidelines might be issued for different states. We will move forward only after due consultation with the tourism secretaries of the states.”
He said the tourism sector has been hit hard due to the lockdown. Asked about the amount of the losses incurred by the industry, the official said as of now it will be difficult to tell the exact figure, but what will be equally difficult is recovering the losses.
