Five resorts run by the state tourism department will reopen from June 8, minister Gautam Deb has said.

The five resorts are in Diamond Harbour, Bishnupur, Maithan, Rangabitan (Birbhum) and Tilottam at Tilabari on the fringes of the Gorumara National Park in Jalpaiguri. “From June 8, online booking facility for these five properties will open,” the minister added. “All steps would be taken to prevent the spread of Covid-19.”

The Centre and the state had earlier said hotels could open from June 8.

Some state lodges in north Bengal will open as paid quarantine centres, Deb added.

People asked to be in quarantine can stay in these properties. So far, only some private hotels are providing this service in the region. Among these lodges include Mainak (Siliguri), Aranya (Madarihat) and Dinante (Raiganj).