Bhanu P Lohumi Shimla, December 25 Social distancing norms were thrown to the winds as tourists thronged the ‘Queen of Hills’ on Friday to celebrate Christmas and New Year. The hotels were packed to capacity even as the town’s Mall Road, Lower Bazaar and The Ridge saw crowds of merrymakers. President of the Shimla Hotel and Restaurant Association Sanjay Sood said it was owing to the relaxation in the night curfew and permission to shops to open on Sunday that there had been a surge in the tourist numbers. “Few are wearing face masks. Despite the Covid pandemic, it seems like a carnival,” observed a local resident, rather anxiously. Many tourists parked their vehicles along the roads, leading to congestion, despite the heavy police deployment to ensure there were no traffic jams.