RT-PCR report condition no deterrent for tourists visiting Himachal's Parwanoo
Ambika Sharma
Tribune News Service
Solan, August 13
The condition of carrying a negative RT-PCR test report or a two dose vaccination certificate did not deter tourists from entering the state at Parwanoo today.
The District Magistrate had made this mandatory for visitors from today, following which police teams were deployed to check the documents at the three inter-state barriers at Parwanoo.
This decision was taken at the state executive meeting in view of the surge in Covid cases in the last few days.
“Barring 20 to 25 vehicles, whose occupants were not carrying either vaccination certificates or negative RT-PCR test reports, all tourists entering the state at Parwanoo had requisite documents,” said Parwanoo DSP Yogesh Rolta.
Most visitors have required documents
Barring 20 to 25 vehicles, whose occupants were not carrying either vaccination certificates or negative RT-PCR test reports, all tourists entering the state at Parwanoo had requisite documents. —Yogesh Rolta, Parwanoo DSP
He added that people who had taken a single jab of the Covid vaccine had been directed to undergo a rapid antigen test at the barriers and they were permitted entry only after its negative test report.
In a bid to manage the traffic, the strength of police personnel has been doubled at the three inter-state barriers — on the Expressway, at the old barrier near Kalka and another one located at Sector 1. The police staff permitted the visitors to enter after due checking of the two certificates. Since no entry was made in the registers, the vehicles had a smooth ingress and there were no traffic hassles.
“Eight policemen were deputed at the main barrier on the Expressway and four at the old barrier which face the maximum ingress of visitors. Since no record has to be maintained, the checking of documents was managed well by the staff,” said Rolta.
He said more staff would be made available after August 15 which would help tackle the increasing rush of vehicles owing to the apple transportation season.
About 2,000 to 2,500 vehicles enter Parwanoo on weekdays though some decline has now been registered with the educational institutes opening in the neighbouring states. A large number of landslides has, however, dissuaded people from venturing towards the hills, said police personnel.
The staff of buses plying on inter-state routes were also directed to ensure that passengers who boarded the buses had RT-PCR test reports and certificates for both doses of vaccine. “It is being ensured that buses maintain the 50 per cent occupancy norm and those carrying more passengers are given a strict warning,” added Rolta.
