Shillong, Dec 08: The Commissioner and Secretary Tourism Department to the Government of Meghalaya issued Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for reopening of the State for Tourism. The Tourism department has laid down the criteria in the SOP.
Whereas, the Tourism Department, Government of Meghalaya had earlier notified the SOP for Hotels vide No.Tourism.23/2020 dated 26 of June, 2020, SOP for Operation of Homestays and bnb vide No.Tourism 22/2020/Part 19 dated 16 of November, 2020 and SOP for Tourist Destination for Entry of Local Tourists vide No. Tourism.22/2020/13 dated 31 August, 2020;
Whereas, the Tourism Department is conscious of the impact COVID-19 has had on the growing tourism industry, and therefore reiterates that the above Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) issued by the Tourism Department which inter alia provides for Responsibility for preparedness of a Tourist destination.
Carrying Capacity, General Guideline for safety and Hygiene, Protocol for Entry into Tourist destination, Cleaning of Common Areas, Food Shops and Other Shops inside the Tourist Destination, Boating Facilities, Generic preventive measures, arrangements to be followed by Homestays/BnBs.
Protocol for guest, Protocol for Room service, Kitchen Area, Toilets, Protocol for handling suspected/confirmed case in premises should be followed for the safety of all tourists; Whereas, in continuation of the above SOP, the Government of Meghalaya has now decided to reopen the State of Meghalaya to tourists visiting from outside the State with effect from 21st December, 2020.
Now, therefore the following Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) is hereby notified for all tourists visiting Meghalaya from outside the State; Registration on the Meghalaya Tourism App.
- All tourists who wish to visit the State of Meghalaya will need to mandatorily register on the Meghalaya Tourism App and generate an E-lnvite for the proposed itinerary. The Meghalaya Tourism App is available on both the Google Play Store and the Apple Store on the link: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.xlayer.meg.gov.tourism for Android and https://apps.apple.com/in/app/meghalaya-tourism/id1524458250 for iOS. The E-Invite can also be generated on the website of Meghalaya Tourism at https:/ / www. Meghalayatourisrn.in/
- A valid Photo ID card needs to be uploaded on the Meghalaya Tourism App including that of other members w ho are traveling in the group. Members travelling together can register and generate one E-Invite.
3· It is mandatory to book at least two nights stay (Either Hotel/Homestay/Guest House) for the first two nights and declaration of the complete itinerary for the E-Invite to be generated.
4· 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.
5· The services of Registered Tour Operators listed on the Meghalaya Tourism website at the link https://www. meghalayatourism.in/plan-your-trip/tour-operators/ and on the Meghalaya Tourism App, can also be used to obtain an E-Invite.
- The E-Invite with the QR Code will have to be produced to the officials at the Entry Points to the State by each tourist along with the Valid Photo IDs. The process of entry is contactless whereby the tourist can display the E-Invite with QR Code on the mobile phone or a print out of the E-Invite with QR Code. An original copy of the COVID Negative report as per para 7 of this SOP has to be also produced by the tourist at the Entry Point.
Mandatory COVID Negative Report
- It is mandatory for tourists to come with a COVID Negative RT-PCR/TruNat/ CBNAAT report which will be valid only if they were tested within 72 hours of their arrival at the entry point.
- The RAT Negative Test is not valid for Tourists who are entering the state.
9· Given the prevailing COVID-19 situation, it is advised that tourists having symptoms should not travel. Such symptomatic individuals, even with a COVID Negative report, will be mandatorily tested at the Entry Points as per the protocols of the Health and Family Welfare Department vide Health.No.94/2020/100 dated 27 October, 2020
Helpline
- For any query please send us a message on this number (8132011037) via Whatsapp or Text Message for a quick call back from our Meghalaya Tourism Helpline Team (from 10 am- 8pm on working days) the order was sign by the Commissioner and Secretary Tourism Department Goverment of Meghalaya.
