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Updated July 6th, 2021 at 18:36 IST

Hoards of tourists throng Manali amid COVID, pictures go viral as Netizens raise concerns

Pictures of over-crowding in Manali and other hill stations, rages fear of third wave of COVID among Netizens. They express their anger with memes on #3rdwave.

Reported by: Aakansha Tandon
Manali
Social Media | Image:self
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With the second wave of COVID-19 showing signs of ebbing, and with the onset of relaxation of COVID-19 restrictions in the country, domestic travel to the hills has shot up. To gain respite from the deadly heatwave, people from the plains have decided to flock around to cooler destinations in Himachal Pradesh. As soon as the state opened up its borders and uplifted travel restrictions, tourism in its well-known destinations like-- Manali & Dharamshala thrived, so much so that it is now being seen as a cause of worry.  

Recently, many pictures from the hills surfaced, where a large number of people can be seen flouting COVID-19 protocols. Amid the speculations and fear of the country being hit by the third COVID-19 wave soon, the over-crowding of places is being seen as a precursor to it. This has prompted worries among locals and the administration, and on the other, it has become fodder for memes on the net.  

Health Ministry also expressed its concern on the issue on Tuesday, “Pictures (from hill stations) are frightening. People must comply with COVID-appropriate behaviour.”  Dr Balram Bhargava, DG, ICMR said during the health ministry’s briefing. 
 


Netizens flood social media with memes on Manali Viral picture

Not just this, people on the internet too expressed their concerns, anger, disappointment on the issue. 

 

 


The tourist footfall has been swamped up due to the removal of RT-PCR negative test reports and the availability of an e-pass to enter the state has also been withdrawn. As per PTI, the Shimla hotel and restaurant association president Sanjay Sood told that the withdrawal of the condition of the negative RT-PCR report and e-Covid pass to enter the state gave a boost to tourist footfall.

Mohinder Seth, president of  the Tourism Industry Stakeholder Association told PTI, “The occupancy in the hotels remains between 60 and 90 per cent during weekends, while on other days it remains around 40-45 per cent."

With the coronavirus curve settling downwards, the COVID-19 restrictions have been eased in the country, but to escape the risk of the third wave and for better days to come, we need to follow the COVID protocols strictly.

 

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Published July 6th, 2021 at 18:36 IST

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