Despite recording a sudden spike in the total number of coronavirus cases the Jammu and Kashmir government is all set to welcome tourists soon.
Large number of local residents are already flocking public places in Kashmir valley and tourist hotspots in and around Jammu with their families,ignoring SOP's related to social distancing and wearing masks in public places.
Spokesman of the Jammu and Kashmir government Rohit Kansal late Monday evening posted a tweet saying, "J&K to reopen for tourism soon. Govt to issue detailed guidelines and SoP shortly : LG issued directions in a high level meeting in Srinagar today".
Each day around 20 flights are landing in Jammu and Srinagar on a daily basis. Around 2000-2400 passengers are reaching here via air route.
According to highly placed sources in the government, " movement of tourists from green zones across the country can be permitted with necessary precautions in the coming days".
To begin with, the government is also toying with the idea of allowing a restricted number of pilgrims/tourists via chartered flights to land in Srinagar".
"The pilgrims, keen on performing pilgrimage will be booked only through approved tour operators who will ferry them to the cave shrine via choppers from Srinagar", official sources revealed.
Chief Secretary BVR Subrahmanyam in his recent meeting had already made it clear that pilgrims will be permitted to perform thepilgrimage after undergoing Covid testing and completing mandatory quarantine period on arrival in Jammu & Kashmir.
Official sources said, this way the government will reduce a huge burden on the overstretched security establishment and can also facilitate smooth movement of limited pilgrims/tourists".
Lt-Governor Girish Chander Murmu, who is also chairman of the Shri Amarnath Shrine board, is expected to take a final call on Amarnath yatra soon. He performed Pratham poojan inside the holy cave shrine of Amarnath on Sunday along with senior officials of the Shrine Board.
The entire government machinery from Lakhanpur to Baltal is also geared up to organise logistics and security details for the smooth conduct of the yatra in the wake of spread of coronavirus pandemic.