Kottayam: In an attempt to check the spread of Coronavirus, Kerala has restricted tourist movements in Kumily, Munnar and Vagamon in Idukki district. The hotels in the district have been asked not to process any new bookings.
District Collector H Dineshan has instructed the police and health department to collect details of foreign tourists staying in various resorts and homestays in Idukki.
The Health Department has asked people to adhere to advisories issued by the government. Those who have arrived from the COVID-19 affected countries should remain under home isolation.
Those who return from other countries must disclose their arrival details at the airport or at the health desks. If any violations of the advisories issued by the government is noticed, stringent action will be taken and if an individual fails to get treatment even after having symptoms will be subjected to three months jail term.
International passengers will have to go through the screening arranged in 5 counters at the Cochin International Airport.
Instructions for travellers
• Travellers should follow cough etiquette
• Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing
• If tissues are not available cough/sneeze into your upper arm or sleeve; avoid using your hands; avoid spitting; maintain hand hygiene, always wash your hands after coughing/sneezing with soap and water or with alcohol-based hand sanitiser.
• Refrain from self treatment or self-testing or over the counter treatment. Get proper help.
• In case you develop any respiratory symptom (including fever, cough, sore throat, breathlessness), you should contact Health Department through the 24X7 helpline (DISHA) - 0471 2552056 / 1056 – toll free number, and doctors will guide you live on what to do next and location of nearest healthcare facility.
Instructions for resort/ homestay owners
• Maintain a register of all travellers (both foreign and Indian nationals arriving or transited through WUHAN / China or any coronavirus affected country) staying hotel/resort/ homestay/ lodges after January 15, 2020, with phone numbers and email lDs.
• The list of such travellers should be informed to the District Medical Officer. The DMO shall contact these travellers and initiate surveillance.
• All the travellers included in this register shall be in isolation in their current place of stay (hotel/resort/ homestay/lodges etc) for a period of 28 days starting from the date of arrival in Kerala.
• Staff should maintain personal hygiene and interact with travellers with a minimum distance of 6 feet. Every hotel should have facility (rooms) to isolate suspected guests and staff and adequate supply of triple layer masks and hand sanitisers.
• Multi-language "dos" and "dont's" leaflets with Helpine Numbers should be given to all travellers and also hospitality staff.
