Interstate Travel All About Unlock 3.0

The government of India recently announced Unlock 3 to ease pandemic restrictions from Aug 1. A host of changes are being implemented to ensure safe and smooth interstate travel. Several states have lifted many restrictions. However, several states still have a number of checks and guidelines which have to be met by all those travelling to or transiting through them. 

Restrictions have been eased only outside containment zones. Therefore if you are residing in a government-recognised containment zone, you will require a permit to travel which can be availed of by applying on respective state government websites. Other than that, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has stated everyone can travel (mostly freely) all across the country. 

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States like Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, Telangana, Karnataka and others are still continuing with strict lockdowns and several travel ban norms. While some have made quarantine on arrival mandatory, others need you to produce a mandatory COVID-19 test result. 

The government has allowed some domestic flights to operate but if you are flying into these states there are a few things that you need to follow. Other states like Maharashtra, Delhi-NCR, West Bengal and others are still under strict lockdown within the states.

In these states, quarantine is a must for symptomatic individuals and for all those travelling from Chennai, Mumbai, Delhi, Gujarat, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka and Telangana.

Andhra Pradesh requires all others to do a 14-day institutional quarantine.

If you are travelling to Karnataka for short business trips and spend less than seven days in the state, you may not go for quarantine but a swab test is a must.

Tamil Nadu has mandated a 14-day quarantine for all individuals coming in from outside. You can be exempted from quarantine if you produce an ICMR-approved COVID-19 negative test result. Apart from this, it is always advisable to keep the updated Arogya Setu app on your phone. Keep an e-permit for interstate travel and be aware of the latest developments about the respective state guidelines while travelling.

Right now, some domestic flights are allowed to operate under strict rules. However, International Air Transport Association (IATA) and Tourism Economics predict that the market can be expected to be back to normal by 2022. Airports all across India are following social distancing and sanitising norms and flights too are complying with MHA and aviation ministry rules. 

Many tourist spots, hotels and other places of tourist interest have opened up, but traveling during these times is a tough task which can be done safely and smoothly by adhering to all safety methods and following proper precautions.  

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