The Himachal Pradesh government has made online registration mandatory for people visiting the hill state amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
In an order passed by the government on August 18, it said, "All inter-state movement to the state will be monitored through registration on COVID e-registration software of the Himachal government."
Chief Secretary-cum-Chairperson of State Executive Committee Ram Subhag Singh in the order stated that industrialists, traders, suppliers, factory workers, project proponents, service providers, government officials and people visiting the state on medical grounds will be exempted from the provisions of this order.
Children below 18 years of age and if accompanied by parents or relatives who have been fully vaccinated or possess a negative RTPCR/RAT report would be exempted.
"Children below 18 years of age, if accompanied by parents or guardians with vaccination certificate for both doses or negative RTPCR/RAT reports too are exempted from e-registration," Singh said.
It may be noted that lakhs of tourists had flocked to Himachal Pradesh in June-July. The places like Shimla, Manali, Dharamshala, Dalhousie, Narkanda were jampacked where tourists were seen not adhering to coronavirus guidelines.
The Centre had termed the pictures emerging from the hill stations as 'frightening' and had warned people being complacent against the coronavirus.
Even Prime Minister Narendra Modi had expressed concern over the huge crowds at the hill stations and appealed to people to avoid unnecessary travelling and maintain social distancing and wear masks at public places.