Coronavirus scare: Tourists to vacate hotels in Puri

Puri: In the wake of novel coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak, the tourists staying in hotels in pilgrim town Puri have been asked to vacate the rooms by today.

The decision was taken at a meeting of Hotel Association on COVID-19 precautionary measures on Tuesday.

Following the directive by the district administration, the members of Hotel Association decided to take precautions to prevent spread of highly infectious virus by asking the tourists to check-out the rooms by March 18.

As per the decision, no fresh booking will be made at the hotels till April 15.

The hotel managers have been asked to refund the money to customers, who have already booked for rooms.

Meanwhile, the hotels and restaurants have been advised not to use common dining tables, conference halls and dining halls. Rather, they should focus on catering to room services and home deliveries maintaining the social distancing of at least 1 metre.

On the other hand, the district administration has clamped section 144 at Puri sea beach prohibiting public gatherings in view of the spread of coronavirus.

Besides, the entry into Gandhi Park located near the beach has been restricted. The system for screening has been made at all the entry points to Puri to fight the deadly infections.