Maharashtra tightens Covid travel curbs for UK, Europe

In view of the emergence of the Omicron variant of Covid-19, the Maharashtra government has made institutional quarantine mandatory for passengers coming to the State from countries "at-risk" and also RT-PCR mandatory irrespective of vaccination status for those coming from other states.

Following the order, mass cancellations of flights to Mumbai are likely. The Omicron variant of the Covid-19 virus has been detected in South Africa and some other countries and declared a variant of concern by the World Health Organisation. The Government of India has announced some countries as countries "at-risk".

Consequently, to restrict the transmission of the said virus variant into the State, in the exercise of the powers conferred under the Disaster Management Act, 2005, Chairperson of the State Executive Committee of the State Disaster Management Authority has declared with immediate effect, the restrictions on air travel into the State.

Mumbai International Airport Limited (MIAL) to share the proformas with all airlines and the information regarding travel in the last 15 days shall be cross-checked by immigration on arrival. Incorrect information furnished by the passengers shall lead to action under relevant sections of the Disaster Management Act, 2005.

The international passengers arriving from at-risk countries (declared by the Government of India from time to time) may be deplaned on priority and separate counters will be arranged by MIAL and Airport Authority for their checking. All such passengers shall have to undergo mandatory seven-day institutional quarantine and RT-PCR test to be carried out on days 2, 4 and 7 for these passengers.

The order copy read, "If any of the tests are found to be positive, then the passenger shall be shifted to a hospital. In case of all tests coming negative, the passenger will have to undergo an additional seven days of home quarantine."

Passengers from other countries except the at-risk countries will have to undergo an RT-PCR test at the airport on arrival compulsorily. On being found negative, will have to undergo 14 days of home quarantine. If found positive, they will be shifted to the hospital.

(ANI)