COVID-19 has pushed our lives into an ocean of uncertainty. With numerous rules placed across borders, making a long-distance travel plan is way more complicated now than it was before. There are compulsions of RT-PCR tests, vaccinations, varying quarantine protocols and whatnot. With the start of the vaccination drive, various states in India have also updated their rules. Odisha and Bihar are allowing fully vaccinated travellers without RT-PCR tests. Goa has not imposed any quarantine of RT-PCR test requirements but travellers have to follow the guidelines of the state. To avoid confusions, read the latest travel rules of the Indian states here:
Delhi
Travellers coming from Maharashtra need to present valid RT-PCR test not older than 72 hrs from the time of departure. Authorities will carry out random sample collection on arrival for passengers coming from states with a high number of cases. Incoming travellers have to undergo home quarantine for 7 days. Those testing positive, can quarantine at home or shift to a hospital. Also, to travel to and from the airport, railway stations and inter-state bus terminals in Delhi, valid tickets are mandatory.
Maharashtra
The Maharashtra government has made the RT-PCR test mandatory for all passengers coming in from Delhi NCR, Kerala, Goa, Gujarat, Rajasthan, and Uttarakhand. Those entering the state without the RT-PCR negative test certificate will have to compulsorily undergo a home quarantine. Rail passengers need to produce a negative RT-PCR test not older than 48 hours. Those without the test will have to undergo a rapid antigen test. The authority won’t issue unreserved tickets. Travelling To Maharashtra? COVID Negative Test Report Mandatory From Delhi, Goa & 4 Other States
Kerala
It is now mandatory for all those travelling to Kerala to undergo an RT-PCR test within 48 hours either before or after travel. Even those fully vaccinated need a test. Those who cannot get a test before they show up can take one on arrival—but they must quarantine themselves till the results are out. Passengers need to register to Kerala’s COVID-19 portal to obtain the e-pass.
Karnataka
Karnataka has mandated RT-PCR negative reports from an ICMR approved lab not older than 72 hours before travelling for those arriving from Maharashtra, Punjab, Kerala and Chandigarh. Also, it is mandatory for those coming to the state from Kumbh Mela to take RT-PCR tests before arrival.
Meghalaya
Amid the surge in COVID-19 cases across the country, the Meghalaya government decided to ban the entry of tourists into the state from April 23 onwards. Chief Minister Conrad Sangma took this decision after reviewing the current COVID-19 situation in the state and across the country. However, local tourism will continue. Also, tourist locations that see a high footfall will be closed until further notice. Meghalaya Prohibits Entry Of Tourists From April 23 Amid Surge In COVID Cases
Odisha
Odisha will allow entry to fully vaccinated travellers without RT-PCR tests. The passengers have to present a COVID vaccination Final Certificate received after taking two doses of vaccination. Those who are not fully vaccinated will need to produce negative RT-PCR reports. Those who do not have any reports will have to undergo home or institutional quarantine for 7 days. Also, it is mandatory for those coming to the state from Kumbh Mela to take RT-PCR tests before arrival.
Rajasthan
Amid a surge in the Covid-19 cases, the Rajasthan government has made the RT-PCR test mandatory for everyone entering the state and those travelling outside the state. One should take the test 72 hours before arrival in Rajasthan. Travellers without the RT-CR test will have to undergo a quarantine of 15 days. Symptomatic passengers will be quarantined and will be taken to a health facility in proximity. Also, booking a hotel room in Udaipur will require an RT-PCR test.
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Chhattisgarh
Chhattisgarh has mandated negative RT-PCR tests not older than 72 hours. The tests are mandatory for passengers travelling by air, rail, bus even for inter-state travel.
Tamil Nadu
For travelling to Tamil Nadu, travellers will need an auto e-pass available at the Tamil Nadu e-registration website. Those arriving at Coimbatore International Airport will need to present a negative RT-PCR test report and the test should not be earlier than 72 hours. Passengers can also get the test done for free at the airport. Passengers coming for Maharashtra and Kerala will need to undergo 7-day home quarantine and then 7-day self-monitoring. Passengers from other states need to undergo self-monitoring for 14 days. Exempting Maharashtra and Kerala, if one is travelling to and staying in the state for less than 72 hours for business can skip home quarantine.
Goa
Goa has not imposed any quarantine of RT-PCR test requirements but travellers have to follow the guidelines of the state. Night curfew will be in force in Goa from 10 PM to 6 AM, till April 30. Restaurants, bars, casinos, river cruise, entertainment parks, water parks, cinema halls, multiplexes can operate with 50 percent capacity. Swimming pools will remain shut. Public buses can ply with 50 percent capacity. Goa Imposes Stricter Rules For Tourists; Restricts Entry To Bars & Casinos Amid COVID Surge
Bihar
Bihar will allow entry to fully vaccinated travellers without RT-PCR tests. Travellers from Madhya Pradesh, Delhi & NCR, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Kerala and Punjab will need to produce a vaccination certificate. Those who are not fully vaccinated will need to produce RT-PCR or RAT negative report from an ICMR approved lab. Rapid Antigen testing facility will be available at arrivals, free of cost.
Sikkim
RT-PCR negative test report is mandatory for all in Sikkim now. The test report should not be older than 72 hours prior to arrival. RT-PCR negative test reports are now mandatory to get entry to hotels and resorts.
Also Read: Planning A Trip To Northeast India? Know The New COVID Rules In The 8 States
Assam
All passengers arriving from Mumbai or Bangalore via flights will have to carry RT-PCR negative reports, conducted within 72 hours prior to undertaking the journey. Airlines will allow boarding of only those passengers who have negative reports. If the report is not satisfactory, the person will have to undergo a paid COVID test at the airport on arrival and wait inside airport premises till the result arrives. All passengers arriving in trains originating from or transiting through Maharashtra and/or Karnataka will have to undergo screening for symptoms on arrival at the railway stations. Symptomatic passengers will have to undergo a COVID-19 test. If the report comes as virus-positive, the person will be sent to home isolation or hospital, as per treatment protocol.
Himachal Pradesh
Travellers coming to Himachal from Delhi, Punjab, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Karnataka and Uttar Pradesh will need to produce RT-PCR negative reports. The test report should not be older than 72 hours prior to arrival.
Jammu & Kashmir
J&K has mandated RT-PCR test on arrival for all passengers. Those testing COVID-19 positive will have to undergo home quarantine for 14 days.
Ladakh
Ladakh has mandated RT-PCR test report for all passengers, not older than 96 hours before arrival. Those without the report will have to undergo 7-day home quarantine and a COVID-19 test. If the result comes negative, the person will be released from quarantine. If the result comes positive, the person will be shifted to a COVID facility.
Uttarakhand
Uttarakhand has mandated RT-PCR test report for all passengers, not older than 72 hours before arrival. Passengers from Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Punjab, Delhi, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Kerala, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Gujarat will undergo a free COVID test. For visiting Kumbh mela, travellers need to register here.
Uttar Pradesh
Lucknow has mandated RT-PCR test from an ICMR-credited lab from all states taken within 72 hours of departure. Travellers to Varanasi from Kerala and Maharashtra need a negative RT-PCR report. Those without the report will have to undergo Rapid Antigen Test at Varanasi airport. Symptomatic passengers without the report will have to undergo RT-PCR test at the Varanasi airport. The tests will be free of cost.
Madhya Pradesh
Passengers flying from Maharashtra to Indore or Bhopal will need to produce RT-PCR report not earlier than 48 hours from an ICMR approved lab. Those without the report will have to undergo the test on arrival, followed by self-isolation until the result arrives. Travellers need to download the Indore-311 app for monitoring self-isolation status.
Gujarat
Gujarat has mandated RT-PCR test from an ICMR-credited lab from all states taken within 72 hours of departure. The protocol exempts children below 12 years of age. Those without the report will have to undergo the test on arrival and stay at the airport until the result arrives. Passengers travelling to Suratwill have to fill an online “Novel corona self-reporting form” and download the SMC Covid-19 Tracker app.
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West Bengal
West Bengal has mandated negative RT-PCR report not older than 72 hours before arrival for passengers from Maharashtra, Kerala, Karnataka and Telangana. The authority has advised all incoming travellers to self-monitor themselves for 14 days after arrival.
Andhra Pradesh
Incoming passengers need to register themselves on the Spandana website. They must have the Aarogya Setu app on phones. All passengers will undergo thermal screening on arrival.
Chandigarh
Incoming passengers need to register themselves on the COVA Punjab app before travelling. They must have the Aarogya Setu app on phones. All passengers will have to fill up a Health Declaration form and undergo thermal screening on arrival.
The rules are subject to changes. So, before travelling, do check the latest updates on the official websites.