Travelers to Delhi from 5 states may have to show COVID-negative report on arrival

Delhi is set to ask for a negative COVID-19 test report from travelers to the national capital from five states – Punjab, Maharashtra, Kerala, Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh – where cases have risen over the last few days, agency reports said on Wednesday (February 24).

Officials said the new order will come anytime and will be effective till March 15. People travelling in flights, trains and buses from the five states will have to produce negative test report before entering Delhi, they said.

Authorities in these states will be directed to verify Covid negative reports from tests taken up to 72 hours before the flight before allowing passengers to leave for Delhi. Reports said Delhi Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) on Monday (February 22) discussed the new travel norm.

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On Tuesday, Maharashtra topped with 5,210 new COVID cases. It was followed by Kerala (2,212) and Tamil Nadu (449). Maharashtra reported 18 deaths, followed by Kerala with 16 and Punjab 15, said the Health Ministry.

The Punjab state health department on Tuesday (February 23) blamed laxity in observing COVID norms after reopening of schools for a sudden spurt in cases. It said 723 students and teachers tested positive between Jan 7 and Feb 8. The figure was 614 from Feb 9 to Feb 23. The cases have been reported from more than 1,400 schools, both government and private.

Maharashtra is showing a daily surge in cases, according to an official of the Union Health Ministry. Kerala is showing an incremental decline, but the daily cases are still high.

Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh are also showing an increase in daily cases, officials said.

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Delhi recorded 145 fresh COVID-19 cases and two new fatalities on Tuesday, while the positivity rate stood at 0.25 per cent, authorities said.

With this, the toll from the coronavirus infection has gone up to 10,903 and the case tally rose to 6,38,173.

On Tuesday (February 23), passengers arriving from international airlines to the Delhi airport were told to submit a self-declaration form following a spread of mutant variants of COVID-19.

The travelers will also need to upload a mandatory RT-PCR or molecular test report (test done within 72 hours of departure) in the form.