Tourism hub Mysuru wore a deserted look on Saturday and Sunday, despite the government lifting Covid-induced weekend curfew across the state. Thousands of Bengalureans make a beeline to Mysuru city on weekends, but they preferred to remain indoors this weekend, despite tourist spots functioning.
Mysuru Zoo and the Palace saw relatively low tourist footfalls, although Chamundi Hills saw a bigger turnout. Travel and hospitality industry stakeholders claim the number of tourists travelling to the city was close to zero. Consequently, business too was dull.
While KSRTC buses, and public transport services like autorickshaws plied and hotels were open, locals and tourists stayed away. Vehicular movement was limited, so much so that it looked like curfew was still in place.
C Narayana Gowda, president, Mysuru District Hotel Owners’ Association, said while there were no restrictions for hotels and tourism activities, there were hardly any customers. “It was as if weekend curfew had been extended. People preferred to stay in their houses. For us, it was a very disappointing weekend,” Gowda said.
BS Prashanth, president of Mysuru Travels’ Association, said the record number of Covid infections reported from the district would have discouraged tourists from visiting the city. “All activities were dull. The city wore a deserted look,” he said.
Meanwhile, preparations were on in full swing in private schools to reopen for on-campus classes from Monday after nearly 12 days of closure. Schools had remained closed to students from classes one to nine since January 12 following a surge in Covid-19 cases. However, the district administration has allowed schools to resume physical classes from Monday.
“All schools are planning to reopen, and parents are eagerly waiting to send their children back to school,” said Mysuru district representative of Associated Managements of Primary and Secondary Schools (KAMS).
Mysuru Zoo and the Palace saw relatively low tourist footfalls, although Chamundi Hills saw a bigger turnout. Travel and hospitality industry stakeholders claim the number of tourists travelling to the city was close to zero. Consequently, business too was dull.
While KSRTC buses, and public transport services like autorickshaws plied and hotels were open, locals and tourists stayed away. Vehicular movement was limited, so much so that it looked like curfew was still in place.
C Narayana Gowda, president, Mysuru District Hotel Owners’ Association, said while there were no restrictions for hotels and tourism activities, there were hardly any customers. “It was as if weekend curfew had been extended. People preferred to stay in their houses. For us, it was a very disappointing weekend,” Gowda said.
BS Prashanth, president of Mysuru Travels’ Association, said the record number of Covid infections reported from the district would have discouraged tourists from visiting the city. “All activities were dull. The city wore a deserted look,” he said.
Meanwhile, preparations were on in full swing in private schools to reopen for on-campus classes from Monday after nearly 12 days of closure. Schools had remained closed to students from classes one to nine since January 12 following a surge in Covid-19 cases. However, the district administration has allowed schools to resume physical classes from Monday.
“All schools are planning to reopen, and parents are eagerly waiting to send their children back to school,” said Mysuru district representative of Associated Managements of Primary and Secondary Schools (KAMS).
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