You can put your plans to visit the Queen of Hills on hold. At least till July 31.
Many people were delighted to hear that the popular hill station will be opening up to travellers from July 1.
However, at a press conference yesterday (July 8), the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA) announced that Darjeeling will be going into lockdown mode.
GTA chairman Anit Thapa said, &ldquoI am very concerned over the rising number of COVID-19 cases in our nation, the state government has already announced a rigorous lockdown to be enforced in all containment zones from July 9. As you all know, the number of cases are much less in the hills, as compared to Siliguri but that doesn&rsquot mean that we are safe from the virus.&rdquo He has also requested everyone not to visit Siliguri unless they have some important work.
A lockdown is being imposed in containment zones in Kolkata, Howrah and North and South 24 Parganas from July 9.
As of now, Darjeeling has 84 containment zones in the Siliguri subdivision, 54 of which are in Siliguri town. It is possible that the decision was taken due to the fear that presence of tourists from outside may result in an increase in COVID-19 cases.
The total number of Covid-19 cases in Darjeeling and Kalimpong districts stood at 684 and 56 respectively on Tuesday. Many of the Covid-19 patients in the Darjeeling hills had travelled to Siliguri.