A few days back, Indian Railways made it mandatory for passengers to install the Aarogya Setu app on their mobiles phones before commencing their train journey. However, the guidelines issued by the railway ministry had no mention of mandatory installing of this mobile app. As the services connecting 15 destinations with New Delhi resumed, the ministry reversed the guideline and in a late-night tweet made the Aarogya Setu app mandatory for railway travel.
Indian Railways is going to start few passenger trains services. It is mandatory for passengers to download Aarogya Setu app in their mobile phones, before commencing their journey
Download this app now –
Android : https://t.co/bpfHKNLHmD
IOS : https://t.co/aBvo2Uc1fQ pic.twitter.com/MRvP8QBVPU— Ministry of Railways (@RailMinIndia) May 11, 2020
Likewise, the Airports Authority of India (AAI), too, has made the downloading of this mobile app mandatory for passengers travelling by air, whilst issuing guidelines for the resumption of flights in a “graded manner”.
With the possibility of resumption of domestic flights soon, #AAI has released some steps that must be followed so passengers are fully geared up while travelling. Wear a mask, carry a hand sanitizer, keep docs handy & register on #AarogyaSetuApp. #AAICares pic.twitter.com/N6ooZIoOsc
— Airports Authority of India (@AAI_Official) May 15, 2020
Besides, there are also reports regarding the government considering resumption of tourism and hospitality sectors which have suffered massive losses due to the COVID-19 lockdown. Currently, the Ministry of Tourism is preparing guidelines for hotels and tour operators, which they need to adhere to once they resume their businesses. It is also learnt that, like other industries, even tourism ministry is considering to make downloading of Aarogya Setu app mandatory.
“Our priority is to maintain the safety of everyone due to the ongoing outbreak of Covid-19. Protocols and guidelines are being prepared for hotels, tour operators and taxi drivers. These guidelines are being prepared in consultation with the states. Their suggestions have also been included,” Rupinder Brar, Additional Director General of the Ministry of Tourism, told to ThePrint.
There is also a possibility that the government could make downloading of Aarogya Setu app mandatory for tourists booking hotel rooms, given that the app is facilitating better tracking in India. The proposed guideline may also have a provision wherein tourists staying in hotels will have to provide detailed information about their previous and future visits. Their health information will also have to be filled in a self-proclaimed form.
This apart, all employees working in hotels will have to undergo thermal screening daily. The guidelines will also include strict adherence to social distancing. Tourists and hotel staff have to maintain a distance of more than 2 meters from one another. Besides the hotels may have to make an appropriate marking on the floor, so that staff and tourists stand at a distance from each other. As a mandatory practice, the tourists and hotel staff may also be required to wear masks, and hotels need to keep their premises clean and sanitised.
In terms of promoting tourism activities, the ministry at this point is encouraging travel and tour operators to focus on short distance tours. It is also emphasizing on promoting local tourist attraction around the cities and are also likely to propagate the ‘Vocal for Local’ mantra.
