The Puri district administration in Odisha has decided not to ask for negative Covid-19 test reports from tourists for their stay in hotels, in an effort to increase footfall in the pilgrim town.

Though outsiders have been barred from entering Puri till August 31, those tourists who have made reservations at different hotels will be allowed to enter the city.

The tourists can enter Puri by producing reservation documents of the hotel at nakas (checkpoints), said the order issued by the district collector.

“It is hereby clarified that any person coming from other districts/states (to) stay in different hotels located in Puri municipal area are required to produce the reservation tickets of the hotel at Naka point instead of Covid-19 negative report,” the order said.

The collector said it was felt necessary to restrict the inflow of people from other districts and states to control the spread of Covid-19 cases in Puri district.

“Accordingly, an order has been issued on July 5, 2020 with the stipulations on restriction of the inflow of persons coming from other districts, states to Puri district at six naka points,” the order said.

Sources said the district administration took the decision following a meeting with hoteliers in July last week.

Puri hotel owners’ association president Rama Krushna Das Mohapatra said, “We need to relax the rule pertaining to the number of days a tourist can stay in Puri. Currently, a tourist is allowed to stay for 72 hours (three days) only. If he or she crosses the stipulated period, the tourist will have to follow quarantine rules. This needs to be amended.”