Recently National Tiger Authority have released guidelines for Tiger Reserves for the opening of tourism and Veterinary and wildlife experts have welcomed the decision. According to the guidelines, every staff and tourist has to go through thermal scanning and check for any symptoms. But the only concern is about infection would spread to big cats from the asymptotic tourists and more measures are needed for the safety of big cats. According to the report of nationalgeographic.com 7 Big cats tests positive for coronavirus at Bronx Zoo in New York City on 22 April 2020. The National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) has clearly mentioned it will allow eco-tourism in tiger reserves only if guidelines are strictly followed.

The guidelines would include thermal screening of tourists, drivers and guides at entry point. Every one shall use face masks /face shield and every vehicles would be sanitized for every trip. As there is problem arised by asymptomatic carriers if they throw used tissue/napkins within reserves, there would be transmission of virus from human to wild animals, so it would be banned to carry tissue paper, napkins, tetra packs etc. And pulse oxymeters would be introduced as done in airport to check the anxiety and oxygen level in human to predict pre symptomatic carriers.

Covid-19 SOPs at tiger reserves

1. Strict temperature checking of tourists
2. Isolation/ evacuation of tourists with high temperatures
3. Face mask/face shield must
4. Usage of sanitiser
5. Vehicle tyres to undergo disinfectant bath
6. Children below 10 years and seniors above 65 not allowed
7. Carry age-proof documents
8. Vehicular seating capacity reduced by 50 %
9. No disembarking inside tiger reserves