Covid effect! Dwindling tourist footfalls at Palace, Mysuru zoo
2 min read
Mysuru: The Novel Coronavirus pandemic has changed the dynamic structure of how things used to be and how things currently are. The public is adjusting to what is called the ‘New Normal’. The new normal includes- wearing mask and gloves, carrying a sanitiser, temperature check-up at entry level and most importantly social distancing.
In Mysuru Dasara festival marked a different mood, with long holidays, family gatherings and outing with friends with hustle and bustle on the streets.
This year due to the outburst of the pandemic, the authorities at major tourist spots such as Sri Chamarajendra Zoological Gardens (Mysuru Zoo), Karanji Lake nature park and Mysuru Palace have taken up drastic measures to follow the new standard operating procedure ( SOP) released by the government.
However, the people wary of the virus irrespective of domestic and international tourists are not willing to step out. The pandemic has surely decreased the number of visitors this year.
‘Usually during the festival peak, 25,000 to 30,000 visitors were recorded on a daily basis in these places but this year the turnout has reduced to a minimum of 5,000 to 10,000. This range was seen on regular days. As the government has not provided permission for boating at Karanji Lake, the public has also refrained from visiting the place’, added Ajit Kulkarni, Executive Director, Mysuru Zoo.
Similar is the scenario at Mysuru Palace, the hotspot of tourists.
“Extreme safety measures have been taken and sanitisers are kept at every corner of the Palace. The crowd may not be as large as previous years but it is definitely growing in number by the day”, said Varadaraj, Survey Assistant, Mysuru Palace.
The localites may have withheld from sight seeing so far but the heart does call out during Dasara. It could be the illumination or the fancy parades or it is the emotion and nostalgia that the public come out to relive this Dasara.
– Team Mysoorunews
Mysooru News
