The Maharashtra government has made RT-PCR testing mandatory 72 hours prior to departure for passengers and 96 hours prior to travel for train passengers.
The rules apply to Travellers from Gujarat, Delhi, Rajasthan and Goa. Gujarat travelers have been hit hard. Many of those who were going to travel for weddings, official meetings or personal engagements are now unsure about their trips to Mumbai.
Travel agents say a large number of tickets from Ahmedabad to Mumbai were canceled in a single day on Wednesday in the wake of the new Maharashtra rules.
Several passengers are willing to get rapid antigen testing because it is convenient and produces instant results. However, most are reluctant to undergo RT-PCR testing, as it is expensive and reporting takes time.
Manish Sharma, Secretary of the Travel Agents Federation of India (TAFI), Gujarat, said: “The travel plans for weddings, meetings and personal engagements have gone crazy. The rules imposed by the Maharashtra government have, in fact, added to the cost of the trip. “Sharma added:” Furthermore, the rules have also impacted inbound tourism in Gujarat with heavy cancellations recorded for Rannotsav and stay in the tent city. from the Statue of Unity. “That’s because people coming from Maharashtra to Gujarat will also have to get tested when they return home, he said.
Many from Maharashtra who were to travel to Gujarat have postponed or canceled their plans. “A month and a half ago I had made my reservation for Rannotsav after much deliberation. I was scheduled to travel on December 17, ”said Shraddha Aggarwal, a Mumbai-based professional. “However, by observing the Maharashtra government guidelines and the increase in Covid-19 cases, I have postponed my plans.”
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