After a video went viral showing a large number of tourists splashing at Mussoorie’s Kempty Falls without wearing masks or maintaining social distance, it sparked outrage across the country.
With a third wave of COVID on the horizon, experts and state officials are concerned about overcrowding and insensitive behaviour. The authorities have now decided to limit the number of people who can visit the falls.
Officials announced only 50 visitors will be allowed to bathe with a maximum permissible time of 30 minutes. The district administration has taken the decision in view of the Covid-19 pandemic, District Magistrate Iva Ashish Shrivastava said.
“There will be a time limit of 30 minutes for each bather,” she said, adding an air horn will be used to signal the exit time. The order came a day after viral videos showed a large number of tourists bathing at the falls without wearing masks or maintaining social distancing norms.
Hundreds of tourists seen at the Kempty Falls in Mussoorie. (Photo: Screengrab from viral video)
The Union government had earlier, too, issued warnings against overcrowding at popular tourist destinations across India, but it seems to be having little effect on tourists.
Days ago, pictures of overcrowded streets emerged on social media from Manali with zero regard for physical distancing norms. Notably, the Union ministry of health and family welfare had issued a warning against ‘revenge travel’ and overcrowding of these tourist spots.
