Travelling to Maharashtra? Here’s what you want to bear in mind

With the Maharashtra authorities extending the restrictions that it had imposed earlier till June 1, the federal government has additionally tightened the principles for journey to Maharashtra from all different states. Until now, these travelling to Maharashtra from particular states, recognized as ‘Sensitive Areas’, required to carry an RT-PCR detrimental check.
From Friday, a detrimental RT-PCR check outcome obtained inside 48 hours earlier than the time of the entry into the state, has been made necessary for all entrants to the state. However, contemplating the delay being skilled in getting RT-PCR check outcomes, rail and air travellers are being allowed to deboard at their locations in Maharashtra and examined utilizing RT-PCR or antigen strategies upon arrival.
There is an absence of readability for these travelling by street because the state doesn’t grant one-way e-Passes for these travelling from different states to Maharashtra. Such people should apply with native authorities in respective states for interstate journey permission to Maharashtra and adjust to the ePass guidelines within the residence state.
What are new interstate journey directives by Maharashtra govt?
As per the order issued by State Chief Secretary Sitaram Kunte, any particular person getting into the state of Maharashtra by any mode of transport should carry a detrimental RT-PCR report. The check report should be issued inside 48 hours earlier than the time of entry into Maharashtra.
The restrictions imposed on individuals arriving from ‘sensitive origins’ have now been prolonged to everybody arriving in Maharashtra from different elements of India.
In case of cargo carriers, solely two individuals shall be allowed within the car. If the carriers are originating from exterior Maharashtra, they are going to be allowed with a detrimental RT-PCR check report issued inside 48 hours earlier than the time of entry into the state and shall be legitimate for seven days, the order mentioned.
Practically, nevertheless, passengers who’re arriving in Maharashtra by air, rail or street with out an RT-PCR check should undergo various processes.
By Air
Airlines could enable passengers to board for an airport in Maharashtra even when they don’t have an RT-PCR check if they comply with get examined upon arrival. For such passengers, airport authorities have organized for swab assortment centres the place they will submit their throat-nasal swabs after fee.
For instance, at Pune Airport, these passengers who shouldn’t have a detrimental RT-PCR check are ferried to a pattern assortment sales space arrange on the arrival space and a pattern is collected. “Contact details and address of the passenger is collected at this time. Once the test results arrive, names and contact details of the passengers who have tested positive are shared with municipal authorities who then proceed with the established protocol,” mentioned an Airports Authority of India (AAI) official at Pune.
By Rail
Officials of Indian Railways mentioned that they cope with incoming passengers in accordance with the advisories issued by the state authorities pertaining to the passengers coming from ‘Sensitive Locations’.
As per the advisory, passengers coming to Maharashtra should carry a detrimental RT-PCR check outcome. However, in the event that they fail to hold it, they are going to be checked on the arrival station.
“As, despite all efforts by Railways, some passengers may not carry negative RT-PCR tests, to the extent possible, DMA and railway authorities may set up Rapid Antigen Testing (RAT) facility at the station, either using railways, state government or private labs. If it is not feasible or before it becomes operational, local DMA, in consultation with the railway officials should decide elaborate checking for the passengers without negative RT-PCR test. However, such passengers should be let go only after reasonable confirmation of them being non-infected,” mentioned the federal government advisory issued final month about long-distance trains.
By Road
The police manning the entry factors to Maharashtra solely verify for the ePass to permit a car entry into the state. At current, Maharashtra ePass issuance web site solely points emergency passes for these staying in Maharashtra if they should journey to a different state (and are available again). It doesn’t present passes to people who’re presently positioned exterior the state and need to journey to Maharashtra.
An official with Nanded Police – who man checkpoints on the Maharashtra-Telangana border – mentioned that they solely verify if the car has a sound ePass to enter the state.
“The authorities in the neighbouring state must ensure that the requisite medical documents such as Covid test results and death certificates are attached by the applicant while seeking the ePass,” mentioned the police officer.