Of all the industries that have been hit hard due to the lockdown the travel and tourism industry might see a prolonged effect as the coronavirus is continuing to spread across the globe and there isn’t a cure or vaccine available yet.
According to JLL India’s report, “As of March 2020, at an all India level, has witnessed a decline of 67 per cent in occupancy levels as compared to the same period of the previous year. As travel restrictions around the world intensify further, tourism and hospitality business in Q2 and Q3 of 2020 is likely to get severely impacted.”
Travelling post-lockdown itself has changed as Air, Rail and Road Transportation try to create strategies to keep the virus from spreading. According to a news report by ANI the CISF created a new strategy for air travel.
The report says that the CISF has proposed ways to continue social distancing and decrease crowd time at the airport. Travellers must wear gloves, masks and carry hand sanitizers with themselves.
It was also proposed to increase the reporting time for domestic passengers for two hours before the flight. CISF personnel, who are posted at airports, will be equipped with thermal temperature scanners and will not allow passengers with fever to enter the airport.
Similarly, some reports say that railways will start in a phased manner based on the zones which are safe to travel to. Aside from which, trains will have lesser passenger and people with reservations only will be able to travel, middle berths might stay empty and people will be asked to download the Aarogya Setu app, wear masks and carry hand sanitizers.
Unless, travelling is essential it is best to hold off on travel plans, as the actual number of COVID positive patients is not known. Travelling to new destinations is risky even with the measures are taken as the virus can spread through contaminated surfaces as well.