By Nayak Paudel
Morang, Nov. 28: People have been visiting different tourism destinations across the country after the government uplifted the lockdown and eased travelling.
However, locals and hoteliers in the tourism areas are worried after observing the lack of adherence to health and safety measures by the tourists during the pandemic.
"People have been visiting different places and most of them don’t bother wearing masks. We have no choice than to keep distance from such people ourselves because we need to earn in a bid to balance the losses we had in the previous months of lockdown," said Suman Gurung, a hotelier in Taplejung.
Taplejung district is mostly known for Pathivara Temple and many devotees from around the country arrive here every day.
Districts such as Taplejung, Panchthar and Ilam in eastern Nepal provide some of the majestic places for recreation such as Kanyam and Shree Antu in Ilam and Pathivara in Taplejung. These places remain crowded almost in all seasons.
Since the hoteliers’ and street vendors' livelihood depends upon visitors, they said that they have been facing troubles in trying to remain safe from the tourists.
"COVID-19 pandemic has created a scenario of terror but even the local tourists are not abiding by the health safety guidelines," said Gurung.
According to Gurung, the hoteliers have arranged a proper hand washing facility and requested visitors to wear masks and keep distance; it has, however, been hardly followed.
Along with the hoteliers, it has also been a problem for street vendors operating businesses long the roadsides and in places such as Kanyam.
"People come to buy edible goods, specialties of our area, and for recreation wear clothes of different cultures by paying certain rent and taking pictures. While we have been operating despite COVID-19 pandemic, we hope that tourists and visitors pay proper concern towards health safety," said Kamala, a street vendor at Kanyam.
Wearing masks and keeping distance with others during recreational visits will reduce the risks of transmission and keep other people safe, including oneself.