Himachal Pradesh makes online registration mandatory for entry into state

Himachal Pradesh is once more seeing a rise in the number of COVID-19 cases. This has forced the state to go for an online registration system for entry. The online travel registration for Himachal Pradesh has now been declared as mandatory.
Himachal Pradesh’s Chief Secretary-cum-Chairperson of State Executive Committee, Ram Subhag Singh, said in a statement, "All inter-state movement to the state will be monitored through registration on Covid e-registration software."

The State Executive Committee has also issued additional directions so that the virus can be effectively controlled in the state this time around. According to the new rules, all goods carriers are exempted from the rule. Irrespective of whether the goods vehicle is empty or loaded, it is exempted from doing online registration.
Apart from this, there are some other categories of people who are also exempted from the rule. This includes weekend commuters, which includes "industrialists, traders, suppliers, factory workers, project proponents, service providers, government officials and people visiting the state on medical grounds."

Moreover, it has also been reported that children who are below 18 years of age, and are accompanied by parents/guardians, and have an RT PCR report, or proof of both doses of approved vaccines, will also be exempted from registration.

Himachal Pradesh attracts a large number of tourists each year, with places such as Manali remaining overcrowded for most of the year. The new online registration will curb the sudden influx of tourists, and people will think twice before heading out to travel to the hill state during the pandemic.