COVID-19 scare: Puri administration asks tourists to vacate

The district administration of the pilgrim town of Puri on Wednesday has asked tourists to vacate hotel rooms within two days in view of the preventive measures put in place by the Odisha government over novel coronavirus, a senior official said.

Hotels and lodges have been directed not to make fresh bookings till March 31, he said.

"We have asked hotel owners to make the visitors understand the present situation and request them to leave Puri," said additional district magistrate, Puri, Bijay Kumar Dash.

Popular tourist sites of the state, including the Konark Sun Temple, had already been closed for visitors as a precautionary measure.

"The hotel owners were told to ensure that all rooms should be vacated within two days," said assistant tourist officer, Puri, Bijay Kumar Jena.

The ADM said this after holding a meeting with hotel owners.

The hotel and lodges have been advised to report to the authorities about the visitors on a daily basis, Dash said.

Instructions have also been issued to close all offices of travel and tour operators in Puri, he said.

Meanwhile, the district police has intensified checking on entry points to prevent outsiders from entering Puri district.

The police on Wednesday sent back 15 tourists buses carrying hundreds of tourists from the entry points of Puri, the official said.

Besides tourist buses, travel agents and tour operators use taxis to transport visitors to the town.

The tourists have also been prevented from visiting the sea beaches in Puri and Konark, the official said.