Delhi to insist on COVID negative report for arrivals from 5 states

With a spurt in coronavirus cases in five states, Delhi will make it essential for those arriving from those states to carry a negative COVID test report from Friday, sources say.

People travelling to Delhi from Maharashtra, Kerala, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh and Punjab by flights, trains or buses will have to show a negative RT-PCR test from Saturday to March 15. Those entering Delhi by road have been exempted.

Official orders will be issued later on February 24.

Sources say the Delhi government took the decision because in the past week, 86 per cent of the new virus cases have emerged from these states.

Officers in these states will be asked to verify COVID negative reports from tests taken up to 72 hours before the flight before allowing passengers to leave for Delhi.

The new rule will be in place from Friday midnight to March 15, 12 noon, sources said.

Maharashtra and Kerala alone account for 75% of the country’s current active cases after a sudden rise in new infections in recent days.

On Tuesday, Maharashtra recorded the highest number of 5,210 new cases, 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.