Local administration allowed 220 hotels and restaurants to reopen in tourist resorts of Kaghan and Naran after being earlier shut over the detection of coronavirus cases in their employees, reported 24NewsHD TV channel on Monday.

Earlier, a total of 225 restaurants and hotels were sealed as 28 persons associated with these facilities had tested positive for the deadly virus. It means five premises catering to the needs of tourists are still shut.

Micro/smart lockdown is still in effect in these five affected hotels, said Tourism Promotion Association General Secretary Sajjad Awan.

The tourism industry was allowed to start providing services again on August 10 due to a marked and sustained decrease in the coronavirus spread after remaining closed for months due to the coronavirus pandemic. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fuq50jsOOKc

It meant that locals depending upon tourism for their livelihood as well as the tourism industry could not take advantage of the tourism season, usually starting from late April/ early May, and suffered huge losses.

However, this restart of business led to a situation where thousands of people suddenly flocked to these popular hill stations amid the scorching and humid weather being experienced in most parts of the country. As a result, these hotel and restaurant employees contracted during this process.

As the hotels and restaurants have reopened, a large number of tourists are again being seen in the area, enjoying the scenic beauty and lovely weather.

On this issue, Kamran Bangash – special assistant to the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa chief minister on information and local government – said no restrictions were under consideration for the tourism centres. However, he added, following the SOPs was necessary to stop the spread of coronavirus.