By Belina Thapa
Lamjung, Jan. 23: The homestays in Lamjung are turning secluded as the cases of COVID-19 are increasing across the country.
The numbers of tourist have declined across Lamjung’s tourist destinations and villages.

Homestay operators there said that the third wave of the pandemic has started hitting the tourism industry hard in rural areas as well.
“The homestays are still open but the number of tourists has declined. From 40-50 individuals visiting daily earlier, the number has decreased to 10-15. Some days the number is even nil,” said Dev Bahadur Gurung, chairman of the community homestay at Ward No. 3 of Besisahar Municipality.

According to Gurung, the tourists return after sightseeing for some hours.
“Around 150-200 tourists visited the homestay daily earlier. We don’t even see a dozen nowadays. We have strictly implemented the health safety protocols but people have stopped coming,” said Bishnu Gurung, vice chairman of Rainaskot Community Homestay.

Dirgha Ghale, secretary at tourism management in Ghalegaun, also informed that the numbers of tourists were declining. Around 200-250 individuals visited the homestays in Ghalegaun before the third wave.
“Ghalegaun is turning quieter day by day as tourists have stopped arriving,” said Ghale.

Likewise, Tul Bahadur Gurung, tourism management committee chairman at Bhujung Village in Ward No. 4 of Kwhlosothar Rural Municipality, said that the arrival of tourists has completely hpalted since a week now.

“It seems that the rise in COVID-19 cases in the district has worried the people and they have stopped visiting tourist destinations,” said Tul Bahadur Gurung.