COVID-19: Despite ban, Italian couple among four arrive in Kashmir

SRINAGAR — Despite ban on foreign tourists from entering Kashmir, the Government Wednesday allowed the entry of at least four foreign tourists including a couple from Italy into Kashmir Valley.

The entry of foreign tourists has been banned in Jammu and Kashmir as a precautionary measure to slow the spread of novel coronavirus (COVID-19).

The order to ban the entry of foreign tourists was recently issued by Baseer Khan, the Adviser to the Lieutenant Governor, Girish Chandra Murmu.

Highly placed sources said that four tourists landed at Srinagar Airport on Wednesday. Among those who arrived in Srinagar were a couple from Italy, a citizen from United States and one from Russia. Ironically, the authorities didn’t deport these tourists and allowed them to enter into Kashmir Valley.

Sources added that all the four tourists hired a cab outside Srinagar Airport and are staying somewhere in a house boat (name withheld) near Nehru Park.

COVID-19 has been declared an epidemic in Jammu and Kashmir, and surveillance personnel have been authorized to enter any premises to look for suspects infected with the Coronavirus.

District Development Commissioner Srinagar, Dr Shahid Iqbal Chowdhary said that all these tourists will be sent back from tomorrow.

“There is nothing to worry. We issued an advisory last night but these tourists were already present in India and they have toured to Rajasthan and other areas. We have done proper screening but they will be sent back tomorrow,” District Development Commissioner said.