When ignorance is not bliss

Tour operators have no clue about precautionary measures to tackle swine flu

Tour operators u00a0have no clue about precautionary measures tou00a0tackle swine flu

Over 1,000 people across the globe have died because of swine flu. The epidemic is spreading fast in India and has created panic among people, but there is little information about the deadly H1N1 virus.

Tour operators claim they have no idea of the precautionary measures to tackle the virus. "We are unable to do anything, as we are ignorant about tackling swine flu.

The least we can do is ask commuters to fill the travel form," said Pradip Lulla, president, Travel Agents Federation Of India (TAFI).
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DEADLY: Swine flu has created panic among people.

He said TAFI has decided to meet the tourism minister and insist that the government issues guidelines for travel agents and hoteliers who come in direct contact with tourists.

Domestic tour operators such as Neeta Travels feel the pinch, since the number of swine cases in Mumbai and Pune have increased.

"Thousands of commuters travel on our buses and private cars, but it's impossible for us to detect passengers who have symptoms or are affected by the virus.
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It's not feasible to ask for medical certificates. If the government issues guidelines, it will make our job easier," said Sunil Savla, owner of Neeta Travels.
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Savla revealed that the number of passengers travelling to Panchgani have considerably gone down after cases of swine flu were detected in a school there.

Harsh Kotak, owner of Modern Travels, said. "We don't know what do. I can't provide masks to all passengers."
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Lulla added, "If the virus spreads at a rapid rate, it may have an impact on the CommonWealth Games that are scheduled for next year."
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S P Jain, president of Hotel and Restaurant Association- Western India (HRA-WI), feels they are taking all precautions, but the government must deal with the situation seriously.

"We have doctors on call and have removed all pork dishes. We have also asked our drivers and airport attendants to wear masks.

They are at risk, as they are the first to come in contact with foreign tourists," said Rishi Puri, general manager, Hotel Ramada Powai.

Symptoms

Fever, cough, headache, sore throat, chills and acute gastro-intestinal symptoms like vomiting, diarrhoea and nausea

1,154
Global swine flu deaths since April, according to World Health Organisation

168
The number of countries and territories affected by the H1N1 virus

8
The number of people quarantined at Kasturba Gandhi Hospital yesterday