Covid: Maharashtra makes PCR test must for people coming from Delhi, 3 other states

The Maharashtra government, on Monday, imposed travel restrictions from heavily Covid-afflicted states like Delhi, Rajasthan, Goa and Gujarat by rail or air by insisting passengers take an RT-PCR test. This comes two days after the state was weighing the possibility of banning flyers and railway passengers from Delhi.

Relief and Rehabilitation Minister Vijay Wadetiwar said that the next 8-10 days are crucial and would determine whether the state needs to go into a lockdown. Maharashtra is worried over the rising number of cases and on Monday, Health Minister Rajesh Tope said the state may take some steps within two days. “We may have to take some strong steps. If it is not imposing the lockdown, then we might reimpose some of the restrictions,” said Tope.

According to a notification, the state has requested the Airports Authority of India to check whether those boarding flights to the state have done the RT-PCR tests –– these are supposed to be done 72 hours before the flight. If a flyer does not have the RT-PCR test report, he/she would be tested at the airport at their own cost.

Similar conditions have been laid down for railway passengers. The state has asked railway passengers to do an RT-PCR test 96 hours prior to their travel. Passengers who do not have the test report would be screened for fever and body temperature at the railway stations in Maharashtra when they alight. Passengers displaying Covid symptoms would have to undergo an antigen test and if tested positive, would be admitted at the Covid care centre at their own cost.

The state has asked the district collectors to ensure that the body temperature of people coming in from these states by road is collected. Those who show symptoms “would have the option of going back to their home state” or undergo an antigen test.