Goa Tourism Minister Manohar Ajgaonkar announced that the state will reopen to tourists from July 2. 250 hotels have been permitted to resume operations. Goa, one of the country’s most popular tourist destinations, was out of bounds to travelers due to the nationwide coronavirus-induced lockdown imposed since March. The minister said the decision to reopen was taken during a state Cabinet meeting.
Domestic travelers must comply with set norms
The Tourism Department has currently granted permission to reopen 250 hotels, following the standard operating procedures (SOPs) put in place by the state government. “We have decided to allow domestic travelers to enter Goa from July 2 onwards provided they comply with certain norms,” the minister said. Tourists must pre-book their stay at hotels, which have received the Tourism Department’s approval. Hotels and homestays that have not registered with the department to reopen business will not be allowed to entertain guests or offer online bookings, Ajgaonkar said.
“Tourists will either have to carry COVID-19 negative certificates to enter the state or will have to get tested at the border and undergo quarantine at a state-run facility till their results arrive. People who test positive will be given the option of returning to their respective states or staying back in Goa for treatment,” the Minister added.
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