In the wake of the omicron variant threat, the Maharashtra government published new COVID-19 instructions on Saturday (November 27, 2021), which included increased limits and approvals for passengers arriving in the state.
The ban was imposed after Prime Minister Narendra Modi convened a meeting with senior health officials on Saturday to discuss the new variation issue. The Centre instructed the states to take stringent measures and expedite passenger screening and pandemic preparedness.
Travellers/passengers in Maharashtra should follow the following guidelines:
In this regard, all travellers entering the state from any international destination are subject to the Government of India’s directives.
Domestic travellers must either be completely vaccinated or possess a 72-hour RT-PCR test.
If detected inside a Taxi/bus or any 4 wheeler, violators of COVID proper behaviour would be fined Rs 500, together with the driver/conductor.
In the event of buses, the owner transportation agency will be fined Rs 1000.
Vaccination requirements:
In any paid or non-ticketed event, attendees, organisers, guests, and staff members must be completely vaccinated.
Only fully vaccinated individuals are permitted to use public transit.
Other Restrictions:
Closed facilities, such as theatres, cinema halls, and wedding halls, can only function at half capacity.
In addition, Maharashtra Minister Eknath Shinde met with state officials on Saturday to discuss the growing threat of the Omicron variety.
All hospitals and COVID care centres must undertake structural audits, according to the government. The minister also requested that district officials guarantee that oxygen, ventilators, and other necessary equipment be on hand in case of an emergency.
Mumbai Mayor Kishori Pednekar ordered fresh COVID restrictions earlier today in an attempt to stem the spread of the virus amid fears of a new version. Travellers travelling from South Africa at Mumbai Airport would be subjected to mandatory quarantine under the new standards.
The authorities have also been told to compile a list of all overseas travellers arriving in the state and keep track of them.
The order further specifies that if a passenger test positive for COVID, samples will be forwarded for genome sequencing.
