Panjim: The Department of Tourism has received around 30 applications from hoteliers wishing to restart operations in pursuance of the orders by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA).

Tourism Director Menino D’Souza said the decision to allow permissions to 30 requests received so far will be taken by the govt, which will be as per the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) of the Ministry of Tourism. The govt is also collecting data if hoteliers are willing to start tourism in order to overcome the financial losses incurred during the lockdown.

The Tourism Dept appealed to all the registered hotels to obtain prior approval if they wish to operate accommodations in pursuance with the MHA orders. The dept’s circular to all such registered accommodation units that are ready with compliance of the SOPs and set to open their business anytime from June 8, 2020, onwards.

The operators have been asked to submit their applications along with a self-declaration form to the dept at goaonline.gov.in and at the website of the dept at www.goatourism.gov.in under ‘Application for the commencement of Hospitality Business’.

Many starred hotels have preferred to re-open from the coming tourist season as the COVID-19 pandemic induced lockdown since March-end will continue to hit their business despite the relaxations.

The Centre relaxed the restrictions for malls, restaurants and hotels from June 8 with instructions to maintain all health safety norms.