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In lieu of the current travel restrictions and need to practice social distancing, the Ministry of Home Affairs has released a set of guidelines for passengers travelling in trains. By Bayar Jain
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As per a recent press release by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), a standard operating protocol must be followed during the movement of passengers in trains. This comes in light of the increasing number of Coronavirus cases in the country, clubbed with the need to restart select passenger trains to facilitate migrant workers in returning to their hometowns.
As per the official order issued by the MHA to the states and union territories, the movement of trains will be undertaken in a graded manner following a consultation with the MHA and Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW). The statement released also states that only passengers with confirmed e-tickets shall be allowed to board, and movement of the passengers and the drivers would be on bases of this confirmed e-ticket. Moreover, as per the guidelines, the Ministry of Railways must ensure that all passengers are compulsorily screened, and only asymptotic passengers should come on board. Those who board should have their face covered/masked at all times, and should also observe social distancing. Hand sanitisers – both, at entry and exits, and within the coaches – must be provided states the guidelines. When deboarding at their destinations, passengers are required to adhere to the protocols of the destination state or union territory.
Related: #SomeGoodNews: Indian Railways’ Special 15 & Shramik Trains Are On The Go