Tourists allowed in Courtallam falls with SOPs

Except for ‘Small Falls,’ the rest of the other four falls, including ‘Main Falls,’ ‘Five Falls,’ ‘Tiger Falls’ and ‘Old Falls’ have been opened to visitors, sources said.

According to Tenkasi Collector GS Sameeran, all COVID-19 protocols are being followed and officials from Departments of Revenue and Police have been monitoring it. Medical team has been put in place in each of the waterfalls and thermal scanning of visitors is being done. Moreover, bathing time for visitors under the waterfalls has been restricted till 6 pm daily.

Further, the Collector said not all visitors were allowed to take bath under the waterfalls at one go, but a batch of 30 to 40 or 50 to 55 depending on the crowd. Apart from medical teams, 15 personnel from Courtallam Town Panchayat were also deputed to guide the visitors.

The Collector then said the influx is expected to increase on weekends and more personnel would be deployed. The shopkeepers were also advised to ensure that tourists maintain social distancing with face masks and usage of hand sanitizers, he said.

Tenkasi Superintendent of Police G Suguna Singh said 10 police personnel have been deployed in each of the waterfalls and the more deployment will depend on arrival of tourists.