
<p>April 18, 2021 &#8211; Though Rishikesh is not among the worst-hit cities by Covid-19, the standard operating procedures put in place by the local administration as well as the state government has adversely affected the tourism sector in Rishikesh.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">COVID SITUATION IN RISHIKESH</h3>



<p>As per health department data, Rishikesh reported 37 Covid-19 cases on April 12. AIIMS Rishikesh has a dedicated Covid facility with an isolation ward.</p>



<p>Recently, several staff members of a five-star hotel of Rishikesh had tested positive for Covid-19. The restrictions imposed by the city administration helped in reducing Covid cases in Rishikesh, but it is also killing the business in this tourist hub of Uttarakhand.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">HOW COVID-19 HAS AFFECTED RISHIKESH TOURISM</h3>



<p>With restrictions and curbs in place, the crowded markets of Rishikesh now wear a deserted look.</p>



<p><strong>Satender Negi</strong>, a local shop owner at <a href="http://wildhawk.in/patna-waterfall-in-rishikesh/">Patna Waterfall</a>, said, &#8220;After this new advisory goverment has killed our business. We used to earn Rs 500 &#8211; Rs 1000 a day but now its simply ZERO.&#8221;</p>



<p><strong>Kalyan Singh</strong>, owner of a resort, says, &#8220;We had advanced bookings for the month of April &; May, Our resort was almost full untill <a href="http://wildhawk.in/updated-current-covid-19-advisory-uttarakhand/">this order</a> &; On the very next day people started asking about the procedure to cancel there bookings and Its almost 2 weeks &; we haven&#8217;t seen a single tourist since then.”</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">NO TAKERS FOR RAFTING THIS SEASON</h3>



<p>Rishikesh&#8217;s proximity to the upper Himalayas along with the Ganges river flowing across the city makes it a very popular destination for <a href="http://wildhawk.in/rishikesh-river-rafting-a-detailed-guide/">river rafting</a>. Rafting was halted recently when disaster struck the Chamoli district. The city had started gearing up to re-open when the surge in Covid cases led to authorities imposing restrictions on tourists travelling to Uttarakhand.</p>



<p>Ordinarily, to enjoy a high current raft ride in the river Ganges for 9 km, a tourist has to pay Rs 500 for 9 km and Rs 800 for 14 km. The rafting guides have reduced their rate by 20 per cent to attract tourists, but there are no takers.</p>



<p><strong>Neeraj Negi</strong>, Rafting Operator said, &#8220;After this order the first thing I did was to fired my entire staff. Whole year we wait for the month of April, May &; June as its our peak season &; now its all ruined, I have EMI&#8217;s to pay, Office Rent to pay, I really don&#8217;t know what to do now.”</p>



<p>The government must think about local businesses and make rules accordingly. Imposing restrictions is affecting their business adversely.</p>



<p>The total loss may go up to millions, which is a big jolt to the state which largely relies on tourism and hospitality.</p>

