COVID-19 negative report mandatory for entry of outsiders in Himachal's Spiti Valley

Himachal Pradesh's scenic Spiti Valley (File image: ANI)

The Lahaul-Spiti district administration, in view of the second pandemic wave, has made COVID-19 negative report mandatory for entry of outsiders in Spiti Valley - which draws a significant tourist footfall during the peak summer months.

A testing centre was set up on May 10 at Hurling, the entry point for Spiti Valley. The centre would function from 8 am to 8 pm, and would check for COVID-19-related symptoms on outsiders seeking entry into the region, Hindustan Times reported citing an official.

The move is aimed at preventing the spread of coronavirus infection among the local villagers, the official was reported as saying. The testing centre would record details of outsiders entering into the valley, which would aid in contact-tracing if positive cases are later detected.

The migrant labourers, who arrive in Spiti valley for repair and restoration work ahead of the start of peak tourism season in June-July, would need to produce a COVID-19 negative certificate issued from their respective panchayats, Additional District Magistrate Gian Sagar was reported as saying by the newspaper.

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Over the last two weeks, 46 cases of COVID-19 have reportedly been detected in Spiti. The tribal region has, since the outbreak of the disease, has recorded 651 coronavirus infections. A total of 611 among them have recovered, whereas, the active caseload stands at 37, reports said.

Across Himachal Pradesh, tourism sector has been hit due to resurgence of the health crisis. The state is placed under a lockdown till May 17.

A relaxation in curfew for three hours per day has come into effect from May 10. In Shimla, the relaxation will be from 10 am to 1 pm, in Kangra and Solan, it will be from 8 am to 11 am, an official said.

In Chamba, the curfew would be eased from 10 am to 1 pm and in Lahaul-Spiti from 11 am to 2 pm, the official added.