Unlock 4 New Travel Guidelines: International Flights Banned, No Restrictions On Inter-State Travel

Two days back, India became the first and only country to report 80,000 coronavirus cases in just one day. However, the government is trying to bring back things to normalcy because of the dropping economy. With Unlock 4, new guidelines are being introduced and a lot of restrictions will now be lifted. Unlock 4.0 has come into effect from yesterday i.e 1st September 2020. Here is all you need to know about the new travel guidelines. 

Inter-State And Inter-District Travel

As we enter this fourth phase of Unlock, the Ministry of Home Affairs has issued guidelines for activities that will now be permitted. The government has reduced the travelling restrictions across the country. It will now be easier for people to move inter-state and inter-district as there will be no restriction on the movement of people or goods. People travelling won't be required to show any movement pass to travel between states. However, no restrictions will be lifted from containment zones. People here will only be allowed to travel for essential activities. Also, citizens from the containment zone will need a travel pass for inter-district travelling. 

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Ban On International Travel Extended

The government has decided to continue the ban on international flights till 30th September due to the rising number of coronavirus cases. However, special flights under Vande Bharat mission will continue to operate. This is the 6th phase of Vande Bharat mission. The government launched this mission with Air India and different other private airlines and managed to bring back around 12 lakh Indians. During the last phase of the mission, 500 international and 130 domestic flights operated from 22 countries. 

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Also, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has allowed international scheduled flights on selected routes by the competent authority on a case-to-case basis. Restrictions have also been lifted from international all-cargo flights. 

According to the Civil Aviation, international flights will resume entirely on the pandemic situation all across the world. 

Bubble arrangements have already been made with countries like the UK, the US, and France. A lot of flights have started to operate under the air bubble arrangement and the passengers will now be allowed to enter India and fly from the country. 

Metro Travel

Metro services in Delhi and all other parts of India will be allowed to operate from 7th September but in a phased manner. According to reports, the metro will be allowed to carry only a limited number of passengers during this phase. Here are a few more new guidelines issued by the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation. 

• Wearing a mask inside the metro station and train coaches will be mandatory. 
• No train tokens will be issued to ensure cashless and contactless travel. Every passenger will have to use smart cards and these can be recharged using digital payment. 
• Passengers will have to maintain social distancing while travelling and for the same, they will have to sit on alternate seats. Seats, where commuters can't sit, have been marked.
• Only 3 people will be allowed to use the lift at one time. 

• Trains will now stop at the stations for longer to ensure social distancing between passengers while boarding or de-boarding the trains. 
• Only a limited number of gates will be opened for the commuters to ensure the stations aren't crowded. 
• Passengers with normal temperature will be allowed to enter. Thermal scanners will be used to check temperature at the entry gates. 
• Metros will not stop at the containment zones. 
• Passengers violating the rules will be penalised. 

For more updates on new travel guidelines, stay tuned!