Covid-19: Houseboats in Kerala resume services despite rising infections

Reuters

Kumarakom - Operations shut down over a year and a half ago

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By ANI

Published: Wed 1 Sep 2021, 4:39 PM

Houseboat tourism has resumed in Kerala's Kumarakom more than one and a half years since it shut down due to the Covid-19 pandemic in March 2020.

This comes after the transport authority of the Kerala government permitted the operation of houseboats, sources said.

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Kumarakom is famed for its lakes and rivulets with houseboats and is one of the most sought after tourism destinations in Kerala.

Sabumon Kalarikkal, owner of a houseboat, told ANI, "The tourism sector has restarted now. However, only a few tourists have been coming. We hope that the sector makes a recovery after being hard hit by the Covid-19 pandemic for over a year."

In an effort to provide a safe environment to the tourists, most workers and employers at these houseboats have been fully vaccinated against Covid-19.

Shiju S, a staff member on the houseboat, said that "they have both the doses of Covid vaccines".

This comes even as Kerala continues to report the highest number of Covid-19 cases in the country. According to the state health department bulletin, Kerala reported 30,203 new Covid-19 cases and 115 deaths on Tuesday.

ANI

Published: Wed 1 Sep 2021, 4:39 PM

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