The COVID-19 outbreak has undoubtedly turned the world upside down, putting restrictions on stepping out of the house and social gatherings. Further, every country has implemented certain travel restrictions both domestically and internationally to prevent the spread of infection.
Even in India, every state has its own travel guidelines in addition to the generic COVID-19 safety guidelines issued by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICRM). While the country is gradually moving towards unlocking various economic activities after the second wave of COVID-19, there are still certain restrictions owing to the predicted third wave that is said to arrive any sooner. Following the restrictions will not only prevent the spread of infection but also evade the possibility of the third wave as per medical experts.
If you are planning to travel any sooner, here is all you need to know that will help you safely reach your destination.
COVID-19 Travel Guidelines in India
With the ease of travel comes certain restrictions that are to be followed to prevent the spread of infection. Here are the safety rules for travelling in train, flight or car during COVID-19.
● It is mandatory for passengers to wear a face mask at all times during the journey
● It is required to check the risk levels specific to the destination before booking and plan accordingly
● It is required to check the COVID-19 negative report or vaccination certificate requirements for your destination
● It is required to check the local lockdown restrictions for essential economic activities and tourist attractions
● It is important to go through the respective domestic air and train travel guidelines in India during COVID-19 for your destination. Please note that certain restrictions vary for different airlines, railways stations and state borders.
It is important to verify all these restrictions or requirements that are in effect for your destination before travelling.
State-Wise Travel Guidelines for the Major Indian States
Every state in India has a different set of restrictions to prevent the spread of COVID-19. These are based on the number of active cases and deaths, respectively. Here are the safety guidelines for major Indian cities.
1. Maharashtra
Maharashtra COVID-19 guidelines for inter-state travel include,
● E-Pass is not required
● Arogya Setu App required
● Travellers from other states are allowed
● Thermal screening for all passengers
● 14 days of home quarantine for all travellers outside the state
● COVID-19 negative report mandatory for non-vaccinated individuals
● Vaccinated individuals will have to produce the certificate issued by the Government of India no less than 15 days prior to the date of travel
● COVID-19 appropriate behaviour, including masks, sanitizers, and social distancing
2. Delhi
Delhi COVID-19 guidelines for inter-state travel include,
● E-Pass is not required
● Arogya Setu app is required
● Thermal screening for all passengers
● Travellers from outside Delhi are allowed
● Random sampling owing to the number of active cases
● COVID-19 negative report is not mandatory while travelling
● No quarantine is required for passengers unless found with mild symptoms of COVID-19
3. Kerala
Kerala COVID-19 guidelines for inter-state travel include,
● E-Pass is not required
● Arogya Setu app is required
● Thermal screening for all passengers
● Travellers from outside Kerala are allowed
● COVID-19 negative report or proof of full vaccination is mandatory
● Vaccinated passengers with mild symptoms shall carry a negative test report not more than 72 hours from the date of travel
● No quarantine is required unless found ill
4. Karnataka
Karnataka COVID-19 guidelines for inter-state travel include,
● E-Pass is not required
● Arogya Setu app is required
● Thermal screening for all passengers
● Travellers from outside Karnataka are allowed
● No quarantine is required until asymptomatic
● Negative COVID-19 report required for all travellers, especially from Maharashtra
● 7 pm to 5 am curfew on all days of the week and complete lockdown on weekends
5. Punjab
Punjab COVID-19 guidelines for inter-state travel include,
● E-Pass is not required
● Arogya Setu app is required
● Thermal screening for all passengers
● Travellers from outside Punjab are allowed
● No quarantine is required until asymptomatic
● Negative COVID-19 report or full vaccination certificate mandatory
6. Rajasthan
Rajasthan COVID-19 guidelines for inter-state travel include,
● E-Pass is not required
● Arogya Setu app is required
● Thermal screening for all passengers
● Travellers from outside Rajasthan are allowed
● No ‘home quarantine’ required unless having mild symptoms
● COVID-19 negative report is required (tested 72 hours prior) for non-vaccinated individuals
● Vaccinated individuals with first or both doses are exempted from the negative report or random sampling
● Daily night curfew from 11 pm to 5 am
● Passengers travelling to Udaipur are required to upload a copy of their RT-PCR negative report on emitra.rajasthan.gov.in
7. Gujarat
Gujarat COVID-19 guidelines for inter-state travel include,
● E-Pass is not required
● Arogya Setu app is required
● Thermal screening for all passengers
● Travellers from outside Gujarat are allowed
● Passengers travelling to Surat have to fill the Novel Corona Self Reporting Form and download the SMC COVID-19 Tracker app
● COVID-19 negative report is required (tested 72 hours prior) for non-vaccinated individuals
● Vaccinated individuals with first or both doses will have to produce the certificate issued by the Government of India
8. Uttarakhand
Uttarakhand COVID-19 guidelines for inter-state travel include,
● Arogya Setu app is required
● Thermal screening for all passengers
● Travellers from outside Uttarakhand are allowed
● No quarantine required unless having mild symptoms
● Negative COVID-19 report required for passengers travelling from Maharashtra, Kerala, Rajasthan, Punjab, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and Delhi
● COVID-19 curfew has been extended till Aug 4, 2021
● E-Pass is mandatory for all inbound passengers by all modes of transportation. The same can be obtained from the Smart City web portal dsclservices.org.in/apply.php
● COVID-19 vaccination report is required for both doses or a negative test report including RT-PCR/TrueNat/CBNAAT/RAT
● Check the specific Char Dham Yatra guidelines available on the website of Uttarakhand tourism
9. Himachal Pradesh
Himachal Pradesh COVID-19 guidelines for inter-state travel include,
● Arogya Setu app is required
● Thermal screening for all passengers
● Travellers from outside Himachal Pradesh are allowed
● No quarantine required unless having mild symptoms
● No intrastate bus movement allowed
● E-Pass is required for all travellers. The same can be obtained from the Gov COVID portal
● COVID-19 report is not mandatory for travellers
10. Uttar Pradesh
Uttar Pradesh COVID-19 guidelines for inter-state travel include,
● Arogya Setu app is required
● Thermal screening for all passengers
● Travellers from outside Uttar Pradesh are allowed
● No quarantine required unless having mild symptoms
● A negative COVID-19 report is mandatory for travellers from areas having more than a 3% weekly positivity rate
● Fully vaccinated individuals with a certificate issued by the Government of India do not require a negative test report
The economic and social impact of COVID-19 in India has been undoubtedly devastating. However, as the country is moving towards lifting the lockdown and allowing social and economic activities, including travelling, it is imperative that we take the necessary measures to stay safe as well as prevent the spread of infection, thereby saving the country as a whole.
In case you are planning to travel with your old parents or grandparents and need safety tips or advice, Emoha’s team of experts is happy to help you. #MissionEldersFirst.
