Andaman Tourism Opens: The Andaman & Nicobar administration has announced that all tourist spots in the South Andaman district will be opened for tourism activities with immediate effect 8 Feb 2022.
The tourists are allowed to visit Baratang/North & Middle Andaman on production of double dose covid certificate/ All other passengers viz. unvaccinated and partially vaccinated passengers (those who have taken only 1S1 dose of COVID vaccine) shall have to produce RT-PCR negative test report
General Guidelines defined for traveling to Andaman Islands during COVID :
What are the guidelines for testing for tourists coming to Andaman after August 03 2021?
On arrival at Port Blair :
1. The tourists need to carry COVID-19 negative test report from mainland based 1CMR approved lab using Reverse Transcriptase-Polymerase Chain Reaction (RTPCR). However, the sample for RTPCR test should have been taken within 48 hours prior to starting the journey from the origin station. (For e.g. if the tourist takes a flight from Delhi at 0600 hrs. on 1st September, 2021, the sample for RTPCR test should have been taken not before 0600 hrs. on 30th August, 2021).
2. The tourists/visitors on arrival at Port Blair airport have to undergo mandatory Covid-19 screening with RTPCR test free of cost. Thereafter the tourists/visitors are allowed to move to their respective hotels. However, they will have to be under quarantine at Port Blair in their hotel rooms until the result of RTPCR tests are received. In case of RTPCR positive test results, the tourists/visitors shall remain in
institutional quarantine in hotels notified by the Hoteliers Association in consent with the A&N Administration, on rates as specified or to the designated hospital/ Covid-19 care centre on case-to-case basis.
3. Tourists may also have to undergo random Rapid Antigen Test conducted from time to time on payment basis as prescribed by A8N Administration.
What if the tourists test positive after arriving at the Andaman Islands?
If the tourists tests positive during their stay in the Islands, he/she will need to undergo institutional isolation as per existing health protocols. The
cost of such isolation for govt. facility will be paid by the tourists as fixed by the administration from time to time.
If the patient wants to stay at hotels, he/she can stay in the hotels if all the conditions below are met:
a) Patients are not symptomatic and not more than 60 years old.
b) Request/ undertaking is made by patient in writing.
c)lf allowed by doctors.
Hotels will make necessary arrangements to designate a part of their rooms for institutional isolation for this purpose.
Light and Sound Show in Ross Island will take you back to the past by presenting the history of how everything was planned and constructed on the islands. The show majorly showcases the penal settlement period including how Britishers came to the islands, what they focused on constructing, and setting the administration to rule the isles. The luxurious lifestyle of the Chief Commander and his family is also showcased in the show. It will also explain the difficulties faced by the inmate Indian workers who build the jail, only to be thrown in their cells later on. We recommend attending this show if you want to add a pinch of history to your vacation.
Ross Island, now known as Netaji Shubash Chandra Bose Dweep, was originally named after Captain Daniel Ross is a tiny island that is located in the south Andaman District, Port Blair. It is just five kilometers from the Water Sports Complex. It is one of the easiest inter-islands to visit during your trip to the Andaman Islands. When most of the tourist spots in Andamans are popular for beaches, Ross Island is known for its history as well. First occupied in 1782, a sanatorium was built on the island. Britishers used it as an administrative headquarters for a total of 85 years. Various important government offices were made by them on this penal settlement during this time. But after an earthquake in 1941, these were abandoned.
Highlights
Along with the Cellular Jail in Port Blair, the capital of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Ross Island also offers a light and sound show on all days except Wednesdays and public holidays. The island’s historical events happened during the pre-independent era are depicted in this show. It also showcases the set up of the first administrative settlement. In short, the show presents an insight about several significant historical events that took place on the islands. This thrilling show takes the audience back in time with its impressive music and lighting that presents the struggle of the freedom revolutionaries and the life of the British administrators on Ross Island.
The ruins of the old buildings constructed by Indian prisoners can still be seen in Ross Island. These are textured by thick roots of peepal trees that take all the visitors back to an era that is long gone yet still remembered. The place gives out a unique vibe that cannot be found anywhere else in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. You can witness magnificent man-caves, the old church, and a grim history. The whole experience gets further memorable with its protected forest that is a sanctuary of diverse birds and animals including peacocks and deer. So you are definitely going to have a good time there if you love walking around and enjoy your time in the lap of nature under the shade of tall tropical trees.
Overview
The light and sound show in Ross Island tells the saga of the islands and its people in an innovative manner. Revathi, a well-known film director and actress, and her team have given life to this project. They lived in Ross Island for many days to give shape to the whole concept. 3D mapping for such a project is quite rare in India. Graphics were prepared accordingly. This popular show at Ross Island was created by bringing together 3D mapping, 2D graphics, light, and sound.
The story has been scripted by the renowned lyricist in Bollywood, Gulzar. He has also narrated it in Hindi. Shabana Azmi has narrated it in English. The music has been composed by Shankar Ehsan Loy and the background score has been done by Tabi Parekh. Lively graphics are created by graphic artist Aravindan and his team. Resul Pokkutty has done the sound designing for this incredible show in Ross Island. Beautiful poems by Gulzar and a song are used for the show in both English and Hindi. The sound is as amazing as the visual in this show. It is for the first time that 11.1 Dolby Surround is being used for outdoors in the light and sound show at Ross Island. Along with the freedom struggle in India, the show also depicts the earthquake that happened in Ross Islands in 1941.
The entry ticket for Sound & Light Show at Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose Island is Rs. 100 per head for adults and Rs. 25 per head for children. Tourists should be present at the jetty by 4 pm for Light & Sound Show of Ross Island.
Things to do
The erstwhile capital of Port Blair during the British regime, Ross Island, is a tiny little gem in the Andaman Islands. It stands as a guard to Port Blair harbor. Currently, it houses reminiscent of the old British regime but all in dilapidated condition. Here, you can visit the ruins of antique structures such as Ballroom, Chief Commissioner’s House, Garden, Government House, Church, Cemetery, Hospital, Bakery, Press, Swimming Pool and Troop Barracks. You can also see a cemetery and a small museum that are managed by the Indian Navy. A collection of old records is on display at the museum.
You can have a glimpse of the remnants of an affluent past on this island. It is an ideal place for strolling amid sylvan surroundings with a diversity of flora and fauna. If you are lucky, then you can spot here deers, peacocks, exotic birds, etc.
Nearby hotels
An important thing to know is that the civilian settlements of any kind are prohibited by the administration here. Therefore, there is no place to stay at night here. Everyone must leave the island before dawn. The nearest place from Ross Island where you can stay is Port Blair.
How to reach
Depending on the sunset time, the Light & Sound Show in Ross Island commences around 5.15 PM. To reach there, you have to board a boat at 4 PM sharp from Rajiv Gandhi Water Sports Complex (Port Blair). You will reach Ross Island in nearly fifteen minutes.
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