Photo by: Talukdar David / Shutterstock

As the post-festival surge of COVID-19 cases continues in India, fears of a second wave are slowly becoming reality. In lieu of the alarming rise in the number of positive coronavirus cases in Gujarat, Rajasthan, Goa and Delhi-NCR, the Maharashtra government has issued a fresh set of guidelines for people entering Maharashtra from these states. Starting from November 25, whether travelling by rail, road or air, passengers will have to furnish a negative test report for COVID-19, before being allowed into the state.

Maharashtra has been among the worst-hit states in the country, with over 1.78M cases, and is still reporting almost 6,000 fresh cases every day. This move comes as the state continues to try and curtail the growth of COVID-19.

Airlines

Passengers have to show a negative test report undertaken not more than 72 hours before landing. Failing that, they will have to take the RT-PCR test at the airport, and the cost will be borne by the passenger.

Railway

If a passenger is travelling on a train originating in or having halts at any of the four states, they have to show a negative RT-PCR test dated no more than 96 hours prior to reaching Maharashtra. If they don’t have the same, they will be scanned for symptoms and will have to undergo rapid antigen tests before they’re allowed to leave the station.

Road

All passengers will be checked for symptoms at road entry point to Maharashtra, and those who display symptoms will be given the choice to turn around or get a rapid antigen test to proceed. The cost of tests and further treatment will be borne by the passenger.

Easing of Restrictions and Phase-wise opening of Lockdown.#MissionBeginAgain pic.twitter.com/FJv1968n6k

— CMO Maharashtra (@CMOMaharashtra) November 23, 2020

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