Of late, many Indian states have been changing their travel guidelines. If you’re taking a train anytime soon, it’s necessary that you stay updated about the latest testing and vaccination requirements for a smooth trip.
The newest states to change their entry rules are Karnataka, Kerala, Assam and Chhattisgarh. Out of this list, Karnataka has introduced new travel restrictions, while the remaining states have relaxed their entry rules for vaccinated passengers.
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Please note: Each state may have additional guidelines you need to follow. Check them here, and confirm all requirements with state authorities before making any bookings!
Here’s all the news:
Karnataka
All students and employees coming to Karnataka from Kerala are now required to show a negative RT-PCR report that is not older than 72 hours. It will be considered valid for one week. This is regardless of whether the traveller is partially or fully vaccinated.
They will also have to undergo institutional quarantine for seven days. An RT-PCR test will be conducted on the seventh day. The traveller must test negative on it to be released from quarantine.
However, a few exemptions have been granted for certain travellers from Kerala. The exemptions are for:
- Short-term travellers (within 3 days)
- Students arriving for exams with one parent (within 3 days)
- Passengers in transit to/from Kerala via any mode of transport
- Children below 2 years of age
- Constitutional officials, healthcare professionals and their spouses
- Travellers visiting for emergencies (death in the family, medical treatment, etc)
Official order below:
All students/employees coming from Kerala to compulsorily bring negative RT-PCR certificate not older than 72 hrs irrespective of their vaccination status. The persons to compulsorily be in institutional quarantine for seven days & to be RT-PCR tested on 7th day: Karnataka Govt pic.twitter.com/rAkoTV9qhC
— ANI (@ANI) September 1, 2021
Kerala
Fully vaccinated travellers visiting Kerala are no longer required to carry a negative RT-PCR report to enter the state. However, they must carry their final vaccination certificate showing both doses. The news was shared by Air India online.
All other arriving passengers must carry a negative RT-PCR report not older than 72 hours.
Assam
Fully vaccinated asymptomatic travellers entering Assam will be exempted from on-arrival testing at airports/railway stations/road border points if they carry a valid vaccination certificate showing both doses.
Passengers who are fully vaccinated but symptomatic, unvaccinated, or partially vaccinated, will have to undergo mandatory RT-PCR testing at their own cost on arrival at a lowered price of Rs 250 per test.
See the official notification:
NEW SOP
All incoming passengers with double dose of COVID-19 vaccine,continue to be exempted from mandatory testing on arrival.
However, passengers with single dose of vaccine or symptoms(even with double dose) will undergo mandatory testing on arrival.
Details herepic.twitter.com/mxrmHol94R
— NHM_Assam (@nhm_assam) September 1, 2021
Chhattisgarh
Fully vaccinated travellers visiting Chhattisgarh do not have to carry a negative RT-PCR report if they have a valid vaccination certificate showing two doses. The news was shared by Vistara on Twitter.
All other incoming travellers must carry the RT-PCR report, with sample collection done within 96 hours of scheduled arrival.
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