Masks are back as Nipah virus hits Kerala: Government issues travel advisory

It is reported that Kerala’s Kozhikode district is seeing an increase in Nipah virus cases currently. The number of infected patients has increased to five, after a health worker tested positive. Nipah is a highly infectious brain-damaging infection. Though the source of the virus remains unknown, Kozhikode is under a COVID-like lockdown at present.

The government of Kerala has increased the measures to avoid a mass spread and has set up a state-level control room. As per reports, Kozhikode’s nine panchayats have been declared as containment zones and more than 800 residents are under observation.
Owing to the current situation, the famous Champion's Boat League race on the Chaliyar River, which was scheduled for September 24 has also been postponed.

Following this, the state government has issued guidelines/advisory for those travelling to the state.
1) Masks are back and mandatory. Tourists have been advised to wear masks at all public places
2) No tourists will be allowed to enter the containment zone.
3) Outside containment zones, there’s no curbs on tourist attractions.
4) A number of important cultural celebrations and programmes have also been rescheduled because of the Nipah outbreak
5) States bordering Kerala have put up stringent checks for those with possible symptoms

Apparently, this is the peak tourist season for Kerala but the virus spread has created a panic among the state's hospitality business.