The fresh surge in Covid cases — 9,819 new infections in Bengal on Tuesday — has prompted the Bengal tourism department to issue a number of fresh guidelines for stakeholders of the industry.

S. Pradhan, a joint director of the department, has issued a set of instructions for transporters, tour operators, hoteliers, as well as management protocols for private and government accommodations.

Transporters will have to sanitise vehicles thoroughly with disinfectants, use disposable seat covers, ensure proper physical distance of 2 feet each among passengers on board, limit the number of stops and train the driver and helpers on maintaining hygiene and safety protocols.

Also, use of masks and gloves are mandatory for drivers and cleaners.

“The transporters are also instructed to strictly follow a pre-plan itinerary. Tour operators or travel agents must tell tourists the dos and don’ts of travelling safely amid the pandemic,” said a source in the department.

Since November last year, tourist inflow has increased in north Bengal. Covid cases had also shown a decline across the state.

“However, over the few weeks, the number of Covid cases has suddenly shown an alarming surge,” said an official. “In Darjeeling district a major attraction for tourists, around 1,300 cases have been reported during the first 17 days of April. This spurt in infections is the key reason for strict safety guidelines.”

The state tourism department has underlined guidelines for tourist lodges run by the West Bengal Tourism Development Corporation Ltd.

“Sanitisation would be carried out every alternative day in these properties. Tourists and housekeeping staff will have to follow strict Covid protocols,” the official added.

Other instructions include allowing only asymptomatic visitors to use the facilities, avoiding big gatherings in entertainment shows, introduce online or web check-in, having one isolation room for every 50 rooms and one day gap to be maintained between two consecutive bookings for a room for thorough sanitisation.

Those associated with the industry have welcomed the guidelines but are worried of a downturn. “In the past couple of weeks, almost 90 per cent of bookings were cancelled,” said Samrat Sanyal, general secretary of Himalayan Hospitality and Tourism Development Network.