Medikeri : Despite the district remaining under lockdown till July 5 due to the current pandemic crisis, the Kodagu district administration has taken serious note of the hospitality industry encouraging tourist access.
Despite drop in cases, COVID-19 cases haven’t come under full control in the hill district. Minister for Health and Medical Education K. Sudhakar reviewed the COVID-19 situation in Madikeri on Tuesday and suggested to restrict tourism as a precautionary measure to contain the spread.
The authorities have registered a FIR against a homestay in Madikeri taluk in response to complaints about homestays and resorts allowing illegal entry of tourists in violation of lockdown rules, and a report has been submitted to the Deputy Commissioner in connection with a complaint against a resort for allowing visitors despite the restrictions.
“Tourism has not reopened yet in Kodagu. The restrictions on tourists have continued with the lockdown extended till July 5. We will act according to the government’s directives on allowing tourism activities only after July 5. Action will be taken against any illegal tourism activities during the lockdown period,” said Assistant Commissioner Eshwar Kumar Kandu.
Mr. Kandu, who is also Deputy Director of Tourism, Madikeri, urged the public to call 1077 for any information on illegal tourism activities in their surroundings, including homestays, resorts and hotels.
He told reporters in Madikeri on Wednesday that a team comprising officers from the Revenue, Police and Tourism Departments had been constituted to keep a tab on illegal entry of tourists.
The district administration has already made RT-PCR negative reports mandatory for those entering the State from Kerala through Kodagu’s check-posts. In addition, RATs (Rapid Antigen Test) are also being done at Kutta and Makutta check-posts.
Mr. Kandu, on the other hand, claims that vehicle entrance into the district has increased in recent days. Border checkpoints have also been notified in order to maintain track of visits.
