HP makes RTPCR negative report a must for tourists

SHIMLA: With Himachal Pradesh seeing a spike in Covid-19 infections, the state government on Wednesday made it mandatory for visitors to carry their Covid-19 vaccine certificate (single or both doses) or a negative RT-PCR test report issued not earlier than 72 hours.

The state government decided to monitor the situation till August 10 and if the infections continue to rise, it will put a cap on social gatherings, public events besides imposing restrictions on crowded places.

The move comes after the Centre on Tuesday raised concern over rise in number of Covid cases in eight states, including Himachal.

The state along with Uttarakhand has seen the seven-day average of daily infections rise by over 75% from the lows seen after the end of the brutal second wave of infections.

“The rise in Covid-19 has become a concern again. In view of the situation, it has been decided to re-impose restrictions,” chief minister Jai Ram Thakur said during the assembly session in Shimla. He said people should stay alert and follow Covid-19 safety norms strictly.

A VACCINE CERTIFICATE (OF SINGLE OR BOTH THE DOSES) WILL ALSO BE VALID FOR ENTRY INTO THE STATE: OFFICIALS

No mask-no service policy in force

The state executive committee has issued guidelines and asked the field implementation authorities to ensure people observe Covid appropriate behaviour at markets, malls, restaurants, bus stands, railway stations, parks, gymnasiums, banquet halls and sports complexes.

The state on Wednesday recorded 243 fresh cases and four deaths.