Manali closed till March 31, tourists given 3 days to leave

Dipender Manta

Tribune News Service

Mandi, March 19

The famed tourist hotspot Manali will be shut down completely for tourist activity from Monday onwards till March 31. Hoteliers and other people associated with the industry here have given three days time to the tourists staying here in Manali to pack up their bags and end journey with immediate effect. After Sunday, no service will be available in hotels, restaurants and shops for customers.

Importantly, taxi, Volvo bus service and all other kinds of recreational activities related to tourism industry will be stopped with immediate effect. The decision was taken voluntarily by all stakeholders related to the tourism industry.

The Beopar Mandal, Manali, has also deiced to shut down the market till March 31 in wake of virus scare. Only shops related to essential commodities will remain open for limited time to serve the public.

An emergency meeting was called by Sub Divisional Magistrate Manali with all stakeholders of Manali town today, in which representatives of hoteliers association, Volvo bus service Association, taxi union and Beopar Mandal were present. During meeting it was unanimously decided that Manali town will be shut down for tourist activity till March 31 from upcoming Monday onwards.

Confirming the report, SDM Manali Raman Gharsangi told The Tribune that social distancing is considered a major tool to combat Covid scare. Eveybody must take preventive measures to check the spread of the epidemic.

“After detailed discussions about Covid-19 threat in meeting, all stakeholders of Manali have taken this decision unanimously. We appreciate their decision taken in larger public interest. People are advised to avoid unnecessary travelling and stay in their homes until the situation improves”, he remarked.

Anup Thakur, president of hoteliers association Kullu-Manali, said an advisory has been issued to all hoteliers to not to take any bookings till March 31 and cancel the bookings, if any.

Forest Minister Govind Singh Thakur also presided over a review meeting related to Covid-19 at Kullu with the district administration.

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