The state tourism department has issued fresh standard operating procedures for tourism stakeholders to run their businesses once ongoing Covid-19 restrictions are withdrawn or eased.

Nandini Chakravorty, the principal secretary of the department, issued the dos and don’ts for tourism business in Bengal, which include training for transporters, staff and attendants of a hotel, lodge, resort or any other stay facility, stringent safety protocol and more use of the Internet to minimise physical contact.

The new guidelines specify that a tourism property must designate a person as the Covid-19 officer or coordinator to deal with health issues in the property and liaise with local authorities. Only asymptomatic visitors should be let in. There should be an isolation room for every 50 rooms.

All properties should avoid large gatherings for entertainment. Running facilities like discotheques should be avoided. The guidelines also suggest web check-in and online checking of documents. It stresses the need for regular sanitisation and access to medical services.

Relevant information on safety protocols for Covid-19 should be displayed in the reception desk, back seats of vehicles and restaurant tables. House staff and drivers should be trained to obey protocols.

The guidelines have rekindled hopes of tourism stakeholders. In north Bengal, around 10 lakh people are associated with the sector. Insiders peg losses at Rs 3,000 crore since last year and Rs 550 crore since April this year, that is, the summer tourist season.

“We are ready to follow protocols and hope that the situation improves in the coming months. Like last year, we have lost the summer season again in 2021 because of the second wave of the pandemic. All of us are keeping our fingers crossed for the Durga Puja season,” said Debasish Maitra, president, Eastern Himalaya Travel & Tour Operators’ Association.

Samrat Sanyal, the general secretary of Himalayan Hospitality & Tourism Development Network, said the state’s decision to waive penalty for late payment of taxes for vehicles would also help the industry. In a recent notification, the state transport department said those with tax validity of their vehicles till April 28, 2021, can pay taxes minus penalty till July 31 this year.