DHAKA, Aug 17, 2021 (BSS) - State Minister for Civil Aviation and Tourism Md Mahbub Ali said all tourist centers, hotels, motels and resorts must abide by the health guidelines set by the government to prevent the spread of Covid-19.

"Public awareness should be created in the tourist destinations across the country through massive campaign to motivate the tourists to abide by the hygiene norms. Everyone must follow the hygiene rules and wear masks...No deviations will be tolerated," Mahbub said while speaking as the chief guest at a virtual meeting organized by the Bangladesh Tourism Board today, said a release.

The meeting was arranged to determine the steps to manage the sub-sectors related to the tourism industry in following the standard operating procedure and hygiene rules.

"To make the tourists aware, the local administration will conduct activities involving public representatives, volunteers, scouts and other stakeholders. Hotels, motels and resorts must follow hygiene rules and keep their premises clean," he added.  

The state minister said, "Tourist destinations have been opened to give the tourism industry an opportunity to turn around, as the industry was highly affected after being hit by the pandemic.”

The local administration will strictly monitor whether the hotels, motels and resorts are following the instructions of the government properly, the state minister said.

At the discussion, the state minister said that the local administration will conduct mobile courts to ensure that the tourist spots operate with its half capacity following hygiene rules.

The local administration decided to conduct a massive campaign at the local level to regularly review and monitor the situation with the stakeholders involved in the tourism sector, the release added.  

Secretary of the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism Md Mokammel Hossain addressed the meeting as a special guest under the chairmanship of Bangladesh Tourism Board Chief Executive Officer Jabed Ahmed.

Bangladesh Tourism Corporation Chairman Hannan Mia, Director General of the Department of Archeology Ataur Rahman, President of Tour Operators Association of Bangladesh (TOAB), DIG of Tourist Police, Deputy Commissioners' of Cox's Bazar, Rangamati, Bandarban, Moulvibazar, Chittagong, Khulna, Bagerhat, Kishoreganj, Sylhet and Patuakhali attended the meeting.