Thinking of visiting Meghalaya? Check out the new SOPs for tourists
With the Covid-19 situation stabilising in the state, the Government of Meghalaya has decided to reopen the tourism sector from September 1, 2021. The State Tourism Department, on Saturday, issued the following Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for all tourists (domestic or international) visiting the state. Here are a few highlights:
Conditions for entry into the State:
1. Only tourists who are fully vaccinated will be allowed to enter the State.
2. Tourists who are vaccinated with a single dose and minors in the age group of 11-18 years, who are accompanying adult tourists, will have to produce a negative RTPCR/TruNat/CBNAAT report which will be valid only if they have tested within 72 hours before their arrival at the entry point.
3. RAT test will not be valid for tourists entering the state.
4. Given the prevailing COVID-19 situation, it is advised that tourists even though fully vaccinated, but having symptoms should avoid travelling to the state. Such symptomatic individuals, even though fully vaccinated, will be tested at the entry point.
Registration on the Meghalaya Tourism App and generating e-invite:
1. Tourists should register on the Meghalaya portal or app and generate an e-invite. This e-invite can be generated either through the Meghalaya Tourism portal (www.meghalayatourism.in) or through App available for both Android and iOS platforms. Playstore (Android): https://bit.ly/3Dqbrcg App Store (iOS): https://apple.co/3jmFLwk
2. It is mandatory to book at least a one-night stay (either hotel/ homestay/ guest house) for the first night and a declaration of the complete itinerary for the e-invite to be generated.
3. If the tourist is staying as a guest of any family or friend in Meghalaya, then, the tourist shall declare the full address and contact details of the family or friend and the complete itinerary for the e-invite to be generated.
4. The e-invite will have to be produced to the officials at the entry points to the State by each tourist along with their valid photo IDs. The process of the entry is contactless, whereby the tourist can display the e-invite with the QR code on the mobile phone or a printout of the e-invite with QR code. A copy of the fully vaccinated certificate (either printed or in mobile) or negative RT-PCR/TrueNAT within 72 hours before arrival, is to be produced at the entry point.
5. Tourists can book all their tours through a registered tour operator (list available at www.meghalayatourism.in) of the state whenever possible. E-invites can also be generated by the registered tour operators.
Advisory for Hotels, Homestays, Guest Houses, Restaurants, Cafes, Tourist Spots, Tourist Taxis, etc.
1. To ensure the safety of all tourism stakeholders of the state and tourists visiting Meghalaya, the staff of hotels, homestays, guest houses, restaurants, cafes, tourist spots, etc., are advised to be fully vaccinated or at least be administered with one dose of vaccine.
2. The hotels, homestays, guest houses, restaurants, cafes, tourist spots, tourist taxi drivers, etc., will be allowed to open/ operate subject to permission from the respective Deputy Commissioner after following the health protocols.
Protocol for Local Tourists for stay in hotels
1. Only fully-vaccinated local tourists will be allowed to stay in hotels. They must produce the certificate of vaccination during the checkin process at the hotel.
2. Local tourists who are vaccinated with a single dose and minors in the age group of 11-18 years will have to produce a negative RT-PCR/TruNat/CBNAAT report which will be valid only if they have tested within 72 hours before their arrival into any hotel/guest house/homestay.
Protocol for under 18-year-olds for all tourists (domestic, international, and local)
1. For stay in hotels, a negative RT-PCR/TruNat/CBNAAT report tested within 72 hours before check-in is to be produced for those in the age group of 11-18 years. Children aged 10 years and below are exempted.
2. Under 18 individuals accompanied by family will be allowed to enter tourist spots, restaurants, and cafes if other adult members in the family are eligible to enter as per protocols laid in subsection E above.
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