Maharashtra makes Covid-negative report mandatory for Delhi, Gujarat, Rajasthan and Goa travellers

A Covid-negative report from an RT-PCR test will be needed for people travelling to Maharashtra from Delhi-NCR, Gujarat, Rajasthan and Goa – states witnessing a surge in coronavirus cases. Maharashtra, the state worst-hit by Covid but now in recovery mode, issued detailed guidelines to put a check on incoming people from these states and prevent a relapse.

The rules will cover passengers in both flights and trains, who have to show the negative test results before boarding. In case of flights, the test has to be undertaken 72 hours before landing. For trains, the time is 96 hours and will apply to trains that halt or terminate in these states. For those yet to take a test, airports will run test centres, where the passengers will mandatorily be tested at their own cost before they are allowed to proceed.

For trains, passengers who have not conducted RT-PCR tests will be tested for symptoms at stations when they get off. If they have any symptoms, they will have to undergo Rapid Antigen tests.

In case of road travel, passengers from the concerned states will be tested for symptoms including body. “Passengers without symptoms will be allowed entry. Passengers with symptoms shall have the option of turning back and go to their home to recuperate,” the notification read.

Cabinet minister Vijay Waddetiwar said the state will take a call on whether it would allow flights, train and road travel to Delhi within eight days, by which time the existing lockdown rules will expire. Delhi is currently logging the highest number of fresh infections almost every day. Earlier this month, the number had crossed the 8000-mark.