No night curfew in Nainital for Christmas and New Year

Turning a deaf ear and blind eye to the fresh COVID stain scare, the officials of the district administration in Nainital have said that the town will not impose a night curfew during Christmas and New Year.

The decision goes against the recommendation of the district level Covid monitoring committee which had suggested that a night curfew should be imposed from 8pm to 10am.

Arrangements have been made to "screen" tourists. “We have made elaborate arrangements for parking, shuttle, and managing crowds. Therefore, it has been decided that no curfew will be imposed. All the physical distancing norms will be followed during Christmas and New Year,” the official added.

Covid negative certificate to enter Nainital is not mandatory either. “Tourists, however, need to register themselves. There will be screening and random testing at entry points. But, a certificate is not mandatory,” the official also said.

The decision has come as a huge relief for hoteliers. “A lot of confusion was there regarding the guidelines and restrictions during the festive season. Tourists have been sending their queries. Now that the administration has said that certificate is not mandatory we hope that tourists will be allowed without much hassle,” Ved Sah, secretary of Nainital hotels and restaurants` association, said.

According to officials, police personnel will be posted at major entry points into the town and tourist locations to facilitate movement and follow Covid guidelines.

“In the past few years, there have been certain complaints of people creating ruckus. So, police personnel and district administration will patrol the areas near entry points and tourist locations,” the official added.