16^th March 2020

To, All Members,

Sub: Coronavirus Stage 2 - Most important and urgent - Restriction of Tourist Movements including foreign tourists within the Country

Dear Members,

This is further to our email sent to all our members on 14^th March 2020 enclosing therewith a copy of the letter dated 13^th March 2020 received from Additional Director General (Tourism), Ministry of Tourism, Government of India advising that tour operators to avoid movement of tourists including foreign and Domestic tourists within the country so as to minimize the chances of spread of Coronavirus in our country. (copy placed below).

As you must have read in the newspaper, India is presently in stage 2 of Coronavirus (COVID -19) and next 30 days are going to be very crucial. As per information India is on way to stage 3 and 4 of speeding the virus through the community. It is important that we all have to cooperate for the safe guard of our Citizens. So far Coronavirus has not spread through social gatherings and that is the reason, we have been able to control the disease. The cases which have been reported in India are transmitted either through foreigners or through Indian residents who returned to India from the affected countries.

As mentioned in our circular, state governments are imposing restrictions on non-essential travel and  tourists movements and have restricted sightseeing, and Cinemas, Swimming pools and large gatherings. No foreign tourists are being allowed to enter  by many states and if any foreign tourist enters the state and even if already travelling are being quarantined for 14 days. Both Centre and State Government have advised and banned social gatherings, conference, spas, health clubs, recreational clubs etc. School, Colleges and other educational institutes have been closed in most of the states. Some states have even closed the shopping malls, cinema halls etc.  

In our circular dated 14^th March 2020, members were advised to inform their foreign tourists to immediately take their return international flight as early as possible and we believe, members have complied/are complying and all their foreign tourists have been advised to return to their country safely. Please take the Government directives as positive, to avoid stage 3 and it is to help all foreign tourists return their home country without any infection of COVIT 19 from our country and maintain a positive image of our country so that they can come back to INDIA in the near future. 

Please follow the Government directives  if you have not done so far as many international flights are being cancelled by the airlines and the foreign tourists who do not go back to their country  may face problem at a later stage due to non-availability of flights.       

While on this, attached please find copy of  orders issued by Dy. Commissioner of Police (Operations) and Executive Magistrate, Greater Mumbai dated 14^th March 2020, prohibiting the conduct of any tour both for domestic and foreign travelers.

Similar order has been issued by the District Magistrate of Jammu where lot many restriction have been made and gathering of more than 4 people has been restricted. Other states have also issued such advisories/orders.

Needless to mention, safety of  people of our country is the first and foremost priority of our Government and we need to support our government in all their efforts,

We therefore, need your full cooperation and support to the Government.

Once the present situation improves, we hope our tourism business shall bounce back soon for which we pray for the quick recovery.

Please treat this as most important and urgent.

With regards,

Rahul Chakravarty

COO