The spread of coronavirus from China to the rest of the world, and still thriving, was primarily caused due to unrestricted travelling. This is why all the countries, states, cities, and districts closed their borders to ensure no foreign contaminants enters the area and further worsen the condition. To a certain extent, it was helpful in containing the spread of the virus in some parts of the country, while others are still flaring up.
September 1st witnessed the onset of the 4th phase of unlocking, 'Unlock 4.0'. It came with many new relaxations for the citizens and aided in the gradual reopening of the economy. It also provided provision for easier travelling across the country, whether it is interstate or intrastate.
Read on to find out all the information you need about travelling in Unlock 4.0!
Travelling Restrictions
The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) announced the guidelines for Unlock 4.0 on August 28th. Along lines of the issued guidelines, now there is no restriction of movement in interstate or intrastate for people as well as goods. No state government can impose lockdown outside containment zones. People do not need to get an e-pass to travel anymore. Many passenger trains and commercial flights have been resumed for passengers to commute.
Public Transport
Unlock 4.0 enabled metro fleets to ply once again. This has been a huge relief for people residing in metropolitan cities. Cab services and reserved taxis are also plying extensively across cities for the public and these have also allowed people to book long-distance journeys as well.
Many flights, trains, and buses have resumed operations to connect different cities and states. The government has enforced stringent rules for using these transport facilities, so be sure you will be spending a whole lot of time on airports and railway stations if you travel by flights and trains.
It is still recommended to not travel, but if you must, it is best to book private taxis or use your own vehicle to commute. This will ensure safety from any potential contamination. Also, get yourself
car insurance before setting out for a long journey.
Quarantine
Observing 14-day home quarantine is necessary for every traveler. Institutional quarantine is under state government regulation. Based on the quarantine policy of the city, passengers can be sent to institutional quarantine for a couple of days.
Expert Advice
Globally, experts have advised restricting travelling until the pandemic ends, but that cannot be a viable option. People were stuck for months in different locations away from home until now. However, there are still some tips that you should follow before travelling:
Do not open your protective gears at any cost while travellingPeople with any co-morbidities should avoid travellingChildren, pregnant women, people over 65 years should avoid travellingObserve 15-day quarantine after reaching the destinationDownload Arogya Setu app on your smartphone for ease of reverse tracking.
Travelling is downright hazardous right now. It is highly recommended to not travel unnecessarily. If it is unavoidable, get yourself
motor insurance online and use your own transport for commuting.