As tourists throng hill stations, will 'revenge travel' put India on COVID radar again

On the ground, images of people thronging destinations like Manali and serpentine queues of cars waiting to get into popular hill towns such as Shimla give the picture. Be it a workcation, staycation or drivecation, people are clearly eager to travel and splurge.

“Virus will get an opportunity to spread again if people continue to move around in hill stations and markets without wearing masks and without maintaining physical distance,” said Lav Agarwal, joint secretary in the health ministry.

Those indulging in ‘revenge’ travel seem to have abandoned both common sense and self-preservation. Covid-appropriate behaviour in public places is mandatory even for those who are fully vaccinated. Hill station authorities must enforce the rules in the strictest possible way.

"Yes, it has been a tough time. However, we cannot let our guard down. We should not be mingling with groups. It is not advisable at all. We need to stay cautious for the next two to three months…,” said Dr Vikas Maurya, director and Hod, Pulmonology, Fortis Hospital Shalimar Bagh