Omicron: Maharashtra government amends corona guidelines, now domestic travelers will also have to do RT-PCR test

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RT-PCR test

Mumbai: The Maharashtra government on Thursday amended the COVID-19 guidelines for international travelers. The amendment comes after the central government on Wednesday slammed the state government for banning international travelers. It also asked the state government to align itself with the Centre’s guidelines for its uniform pan-India implementation.

The Maharashtra government in its revised guidelines has imposed strict restrictions only on travelers from “high-risk countries”, which are South Africa, Botswana, and Zimbabwe.

According to the guideline “High-risk air passengers may be disembarked on a priority basis and separate counters shall be arranged by the concerned airport management authorities at all international airports in the state of Maharashtra for their screening and verification.

All such “high-risk air travelers” will have to pass through. Must undergo a mandatory 7-day “institutional quarantine” with immediate RT-PCR test and mandatory RT-PCR test for 7 days on arrival at the concerned international airport. If any of the RT-PCR tests are found positive, such “high-risk air travelers” will be shifted to a hospital with COVID treatment facilities. If the RT-PCR test result for the 7th day comes back negative, then such “high-risk air travelers” will have to undergo another 7 days. Home quarantine,” the guidelines said.

RT-PCR test

The guidelines said that DCP Immigration and FRRO will draft a proforma declaration to declare the details of countries traveled in the last 15 days for all passengers arriving on international flights and MIAL will share the proforma with all airlines. Information regarding travel in the last 15 days will be cross-checked by immigration upon arrival. It said that wrong information given by the passenger will be dealt with under relevant sections of the Disaster Management Act, 2005.

Further, in the case of domestic air travel, passengers will either have to be fully vaccinated or must carry an RT-PCR test certificate showing a negative result within 72 hours before boarding.

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