Services to St Mary's island stopped

Udupi: After seeing a decline in tourists arrivals at Malpe beach and at St Mary’s Island by almost half, boat trips to the island have been stopped by operators.

This move also comes in view of the district’s deputy commissioner’s (DC) directive to ban all public gatherings.

Three boats used to ferry tourists to the island from the Malpe sea walk have stopped all operations and said that they will restart services after instructions come from DC.

The district administration has instructed banning of all huge gatherings of people including for Yakshagana performance and temple festivals and rituals to contain the spread of the COVID-19.