Entering Maharashtra by road, rail or air, RT-PCR test negative report is a must for travellers

Staff Reporter 
In view of the rising number of Covid19 positive patients in the last few days, the state government of Maharashtra on Monday, November 23, 2020 made it compulsory for people entering into the state from Goa, Gujrat, Delhi, Rajasthan to carry an RT-PCR (real time polymerase chain reaction) negative test report.

The state government order, which comes into force from November 25, says that for the air travellers, the RT-PCR sample should have been collected within 72 hours of the scheduled time of landing at any airport in Maharashtra.The order specifically mentioned that domestic passengers shall carry RT-PCR negative test reports with them before boarding the flight from airports in Goa, Rajasthan, Delhi-NCR and Gujarat and shall produce this test report at the arrival to the teams placed at the arrival point in airports in Maharashtra.

The state government order clearly mentioned that the Airports Authority of India is requested to check the report before allowing passengers to board the flight. 

If any passenger fails to carry their RT-PCR test report they shall compulsorily go for tests at the airport at their own cost.
Also, passengers travelling to the state of Maharashtra by trains which are originating or have halts at stations in Goa, Rajasthan, Delhi-NCR and Gujarat shall also carry the negative RT-PCR test report. In such cases, sample collection should have been done within 96 hours before the scheduled arrival in Maharashtra. If they are not carrying the report, they will be screened at stations for symptoms.

Those who are entering into the state’s territory by road from the concerned states will also be tested for symptoms. People showing the symptoms will have to undergo the Antigen Test.The circular makes it clear that only those people without any COVID-19 symptoms will be given permission to enter.
“The passengers without symptoms will be allowed entry. Passengers with symptoms shall have the option of turning back and going to their home to recuperate,” it said.

On Monday, the Maharashtra government announced revised standard operating procedures on preventive measures to contain COVID-19 spread.As per the Maharashtra Health Department, the total number of COVID-19 cases in the state stands at 17,80,208, while the death toll is 46,623.Earlier today, the Supreme Court had asked Maharashtra, Delhi, Gujarat and Assam governments to file status reports on the current COVID-19 situation in the respective states and their preparedness to tackle a rise in cases in the coming months.While underlining that Gujarat’s condition is worst after Delhi and Maharashtra, a bench headed by Justice Ashok Bhushan and comprising Justices RS Reddy and MR Shah pulled up the Gujarat government for permitting weddings and gatherings despite a surge in COVID-19 cases.