Your Guide To Inter-state And International Travel


2020 had been a rollercoaster ride for all of us. With everybody confined to their houses, life had become monotonous, and travel was a distant dream. Fortunately, considering the decline in COVID cases, the government has allowed inter-state and international travel. However, travelling in this new normal comes with specific guidelines issued by the government to ensure a comfortable and hustle-free journey without compromising everyday work. Let’s have a look at some of these travel guidelines.

DELHI
For people travelling to Delhi by flights, random sample collection will be done for passengers arriving from states with a spurt in COVID-19 cases. In case a person tests positive, they will be quarantined at home or hospital for ten days. In addition, the thermal screening will be done for all passengers upon arrival, and they must have the Aarogya Setu app.

JAMMU AND KASHMIR
All the passengers except Defense Personnel are advised to have a negative RT-PCR report not earlier than 48 hours from an ICMR approved laboratory. Otherwise, they would have to undergo a RAT test upon arrival free of cost

UTTARAKHAND
On arrival at Uttarakhand, thermal screening shall be conducted for all passengers. In addition, passengers must carry RT-PCR/TrueNAT/CBNAAT/RAT negative report from ICMR accredited labs done within the last 72hrs. However, passengers in possession of the final vaccination certificate and Defence Personnel and their families shall be exempted from the aforementioned requirements

RAJASTHAN
Rajasthan’s travel guidelines state that thermal screening shall be done for all passengers. In addition, it is compulsory for passengers arriving from other states to carry a COVID negative report from an ICMR approved lab not earlier than 72 hours of arrival.

MAHARASHTRA
Thermal screening shall be done for all passengers. Passengers must carry a negative RT-PCR, not older than 72Hours from the time of arrival. Passengers not in possession of the same shall be denied boarding at the origin station. Passengers in control of the final vaccination certificate shall be exempted from the pre-departure RT-PCR requirement.

KARNATAKA
Karnataka offers a comparatively longer list of guidelines as compared to other states. For example, it includes thermal screening for all arriving passengers. In addition, passengers originating from any city in Maharashtra and Kerala (irrespective of their vaccination status) to any town in Karnataka state shall be mandatorily required to have an RTPCR negative certificate of not older than 72Hours from an ICMR accredited lab.

TAMIL NADU
Passengers originating their journey from any city in Kerala state to any town in Tamil Nadu state shall be mandatorily required to own an RT-PCR negative certificate of not older than 72Hours from an ICMR accredited lab or final vaccination certificate. The same is not applicable for passengers travelling from other cities within Tamil Nadu.

Guidelines for International Travel
Now that countries like Sri Lanka, UAE, Mauritius, Egypt, Russia, Iceland, UK, and Italy are welcoming Indians with open arms, we have all packed up. However, before planning international trips, get yourself fully vaccinated to minimise the chances to spread or catch COVID. For the unversed, those who have taken the second dose of Covi-Shield, Pfizer etc. or any single-dose vaccine at least two weeks before travelling are considered fully vaccinated. However, they should take proper precautions like wearing masks, gloves, and face shields and practising social distancing. Moreover, don’t forget to check the COVID situation and travel guidelines at your destination. All international travellers have to submit a negative COVID-19 RT-PCR report tested 72 hours before the journey. However, those who have had death(s) in their family are an exception if they apply 72 hours before boarding and get it approved by the government.