The new Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) mandated by the state government involve all passengers traveling by rail, air, or highway.
The order comes a day after Maharashtra’s Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray urged the people of the state not to lower their guard against COVID-19 and to strictly follow security protocols to avoid the imposition of another blockade. He said that although he has been advised to impose a night curfew, he does not believe that anything can be achieved by imposing such restrictions.
According to the new guidelines, all passengers arriving from Delhi-NCR, the states of Goa, Rajasthan and Gujarat will be required to carry a Covid-negative report (RT-PCR) while traveling by train, road or train.
For domestic air travelers, the collection of RT-PCR samples must take place within 72 hours prior to the scheduled landing time at Maharashtra airports, the state government said in a statement.
“The Airports Authority of India is requested to verify the report before allowing passengers to board the flight,” the government notification said.
“Only after conducting the test will the airport operator allow passengers to go home,” the statement read.
The contact details and addresses of those who carry out the test at the airport will be collected to facilitate contact, in the event that the report is negative.
On the other hand, passengers arriving in the state by rail must carry a negative RT-PCR test report of a sample collected 96 hours before the scheduled arrival in the state.
“Passengers without RT-PCR test reports will have to undergo RT-PCR tests at the affected airports at their own cost. The airport will organize the test centers and charge passengers directly for the tests.” the statement read.
Those train passengers who do not have a negative RT-PCR test report will be tested for symptoms, including body temperature, at the getting off train stations.
Passengers who test negative will be allowed to return home, the order said.
Similarly, for those traveling by road, the state government added that concerned district collectors from land border districts will need to make arrangements to ensure that passengers coming from these four states are screened for symptoms, including body temperature.
The Maharashtra government stated that only passengers without symptoms will be allowed to enter. “Passengers with symptoms will have the option of returning and returning home to recover,” he added.
Passengers with symptoms will be separated and subjected to an antigen test. If the tests are negative, the passenger can enter the state.
The state government, in its order, further stated that those passengers who do not undergo the test or who test positive for Covid after arriving, will be sent to the Covid Care Center (CCC) for additional care, where the charges will be covered. treatment. by the passengers.
Meanwhile, Maharashtra reported 5,753 new COVID-19 cases, 4,060 recoveries and 50 deaths on Sunday, bringing the total number of cases in the state to 1780,208, the state Department of Health said.
There are 81,512 active cases in the state and so far 16,51,064 patients have been recovered. The death toll is 46,623.
Of these, Mumbai reported 1,135 new COVID-19 cases, 618 recoveries / discharges, and 19 deaths today.
The total number of cases here increases to 2.75,707, including 2,52,127 recoveries / discharges and 10,673 deaths. Active cases stand at 9,770.
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