No tourists in hills till July 31: GTA

Our Correspondent
DARJEELING: The Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA) has withdrawn its decision of resuming tourism and announced that tourists would not be allowed to visit the hills till July 31 owing to rising Covid cases in the country.
Earlier, the GTA had permitted entry of tourists starting July 1 while opening the tourism attractions here stating that tourism enquiries have been coming.
On Wednesday, GTA chairman Anit Thapa said: “We have been working collectively to control the Covid pandemic in GTA area but it is seen that pandemic is reaching its peak point with number of cases rising all over the country. Positive cases are being reported daily at Siliguri which is very close to the GTA area.”
“The government has also decided to extend the lockdown till July 31. Similarly, the GTA has also decided to protect the hills from Covid-19 by not allowing tourists from tomorrow onwards till July 31,” said Thapa.
“We know that most people here are dependent on tourism but we had to take this strong step so that we do not lose the fight against Covid-19. We should not regret later. After July 31, we will see what happens and then chalk out our future course of action,” said the GTA chairman.
Hotels in Darjeeling hills had opened following the decision to open tourism from July 1. However, next to nil tourists were seen in the hills considering the Covid-19 situation and it being an off-season at present.
Thapa requested police in Kalimpong and Darjeeling districts to keep a strict vigil at the entry points to the GTA area to check the entry of tourists and also those returning from Siliguri.
“I appeal everyone not to go to Siliguri unless they have an important work there or an emergency. They should not take unnecessary risk. From now on strict vigil will be kept on vehicles going and coming from Siliguri also,” said Thapa.