Maharashtra Rules: Who Must Quarantine? Do I need RT-PCR To Travel?

The state had said that a 7-day institutional quarantine would be mandatory for all those from at-risk countries.

Maharashtra on Thursday, 2 December, amended the travel rules issued – yet again – in light of the newly emerged omicron variant. The will now be implementing institutional quarantine only for flyers from six 'ultra-risk' nations.

Earlier, the state, in divergence with the Centre's SOPs, had stated that a seven-day institutional quarantine would be mandatory for all passengers coming from at-risk countries.

What are the new rules? Do I need RT-PCR for domestic travel?

Here's all you need to know.

Who needs to undertake institutional quarantine?

Those arriving from what is classified as the "ultra-risk" nations should undergo seven-day institutional quarantine.

Passengers from:

• South Africa

• Botswana

• Namibia

• Lasotho

• Zimbabwe

• Eswatini

The rule will also apply to people who visited these nations anytime within 15 days ahead of their arrival, and any passenger who is symptomatic.

What happens after institutional quarantine?

• On completion of institutional quarantine, passengers will take an RT-PCR test.

• If the result is negative, they will undergo seven days of home quarantine.

What are the Centre's rules for those from 'at-risk' countries?

The Centre's rules meanwhile said that travellers from at-risk countries will have to get tested for COVID-19 post-arrival and will have to wait for their test results at the arrival airport before leaving or taking a connecting flight.

If tested negative, travellers will have to remain in home quarantine for seven days, with a retest on the eighth day, the Centre had stated.

These rules will apply for Maharashtra as well.

Which are the at-risk countries?

Nations where cases of Omicron are detected are classified as "at risk".

The list includes European nations like UK, Germany, Spain, Belgium, and Italy, Israel, Hong Kong and Japan, among others.

Do I need an RT-PCR to travel to Maharashtra by air?

Domestic passengers, who are flying to Maharashtra, will have to provide proof of double vaccination or negative report of an RT-PCR test conducted within 72 hours of boarding the flight.

Do I need an RT-PCR to enter Maharashtra by road?

Yes. As per the latest rules, inter-state road travellers will need RT-PCR done within 72 hours of travel. If negative report is not available, they will be tested for the virus at check posts.