MUMBAI: Travel restrictions imposed by the Maharashtra government on passengers arriving from four states -- Gujarat, Goa, Rajasthan and Delhi -- will also be imposed on passengers arriving from Kerala.
Officials said Kerala has the highest number of active Covid-19 cases in the country, followed by Maharashtra. The two states respectively account for 40% and 24% of India’s total active case load. For air travellers from these states, a negative RT-PCR report is compulsory, to be done within 72 hours before flight. If a flyer did not have this report, he or she would be tested at the airport at their own cost.
Similar conditions have been laid down for railway passengers. Maharashtra has asked railway passengers to do an RT-PCR test within 96 hours prior to travel. Passengers who do not have a report would be screened for fever and body temperature at railway stations in Maharashtra when they alight. Those displaying Covid symptoms would have to undergo an antigen test and if they test positive, would be admitted at a Covid Care Centre at their own cost. Those travelling by road to be mandatorily screened at state borders for symptoms.
“The restriction (Kerala) has been imposed as a precautionary measure," said an official. Meanwhile, there has been a demand by passengers from the other four states to ease travel restrictions as cases in those states are on the decline.