With the alarming rise in COVID-19 cases, all passengers booking with the Indian Railways must keep a careful eye on the latest train travel guidelines:
Top Highlights
- Maharashtra releases SOP for train passengers coming from places of ‘sensitive origin’
- Kumbh Mela returnees to follow new quarantine and testing rules in several states
- Railways to impose heavy fines on those not wearing face masks on rail premises
Pay ₹0 Payment Gateway Fees on your first train booking with ixigo:
Before making any train bookings, we advise all travellers to check India’s current COVID-19 guidelines for train passengers here.
Now onto today’s updates:
Maharashtra’s new train travel rules
Maharashtra has designated Delhi NCR, Kerala, Goa, Rajasthan, Gujarat, and Uttarakhand as places of ‘sensitive origin’ and asked all train travellers coming from these states to carry a negative RT-PCR test report not older than 48 hours. All passengers will be screened at their departing stations, and only the asymptomatic will be allowed to board trains.
Upon arrival, all passengers will be screened. Those carrying the test report will undergo minimal screening, while those without a test may have to complete an RAT test at the station or other form of screening decided by railway officials.
Passengers testing COVID-positive or refusing screenings will be moved to a quarantine centre or given a hospital bed of their choice (if available). All passengers without symptoms will be stamped for compulsory home quarantine for 15 days, and can only step out during that period for medical emergencies.
See the full order here:
🚨SOP for Long Distance Trains
Places of “Sensitive Origins” (4th attachment)#BreakTheChain pic.twitter.com/pAsoSGadge
— CMO Maharashtra (@CMOMaharashtra) April 18, 2021
Kumbh returnees get strict guidelines
Six states have asked Kumbh Mela returnees to follow specific testing and quarantine norms after arriving in their home states. Here are the details:
Madhya Pradesh: Returnees must inform their district collector about their arrival. The magistrate will then decide their self-isolation or quarantine requirements.
Delhi: All residents who attended Kumbh from April 4 onwards must upload their details on delhi.gov.in. Those who are still planning to visit must do the same before leaving Delhi. A 14-day home quarantine is compulsory for every returnee. Those who do not accurately upload their details as instructed will be sent to institutional quarantine for 14 days.
Karnataka: Returnees must self-isolate at home and undergo RT-PCR testing. They can restore normal activities after receiving a negative report.
Gujarat: Devotees must take an RT-PCR test before returning to their hometowns, and those who test positive will be isolated. District collectors have been asked to identify all returnees and enforce a security check. No quarantine rules have been announced yet.
Odisha: All returnees must undergo RT-PCR testing before entering Odisha. They must also complete a 14-day quarantine at home, or at temporary medical camps. Everyone who registered for Kumbh with the Uttarakhand government will be tracked by officials and health workers.
Maharashtra: Since the Kumbh Mela is in Uttarakhand, the rules for devotees returning by train will be the same as mentioned for all places of ‘sensitive origin’ earlier in this article.
Heavy fines for non-maskers on rail premises
Railway officials have been advised to impose a fine of up to Rs 500 on any person found entering railway premises (including trains) without a face mask or face cover. The rule will also apply to anyone found spitting on the premises, and to any acts of a similar nature. Effective for the next six months, the move is aimed at curbing any unhygienic conditions that can further the spread of COVID-19.
We hope you find these guidelines useful, and have a safe journey with the Indian Railways.
