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After almost 70 days of lockdown in India, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has revealed a phased process of reopening the nation in its Unlock 1 plan. Here is what this means for travellers. By Bayar Jain
What seems like a blessing – however, limited it may be – the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has released a set of guidelines on May 31, outlining the phased reopening of India’s lockdown after almost 70 days. As per the guidelines released, Unlock 1 is going to come into effect from June 1, except areas that continue to be containment zones. These guidelines will be effective until June 30. The release also states that although the measures outlined for this reopening have taken place in consultation with the states and union territories, they are free to impose or dilute restrictions bases the situation in their respective areas.
We’ve decoded the governmental guidelines for you, keeping in mind wanderers who are itching to travel again.
Air Travel
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While domestic air travel resumed earlier on May 25, the same fate is not to be bestowed upon international travellers till June 30, except in cases permitted by the MHA. As per a tweet by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) of India, international commercial passengers will remain suspended till the 2359 hours IST of June 30, 2020. However, cargo operations and those crafts approved by the MHA are exempted from this restriction states the tweet.
Railways
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Starting June 1, the Ministry of Railways – in consultation with the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare (MoHFW) and Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) – has released a statement saying that 200 new special trains would journey the tracks. This, the release states, will be in addition to the existing Shramik trains that were started earlier to help migrants return to their hometowns as well as the AC trains running since May 12. As per the press release, these trains will run akin to the regular trains having both, AC and non-AC classes, without any unreserved coaches. Booking of these trains can be done through the IRCTC website, or via the mobile app.
Ticketing agents and reservation counters have been allowed since May 22, states the release. The release also says that the advance reservation period of these trains has been increased to 120 days, as opposed to the one-month period allowed earlier. However, the guidelines state that no unreserved tickets will be issued and no tickets will be issued to passengers aboard the trains. The charting of passengers’ lists has also been altered. As per the release, the first chart will be prepared four hours prior to the scheduled departure, and second – two hours. Moreover, the guidelines also state that prepaid meals, e-catering, bedding and linens have been discontinued temporarily. However, it suggests that IRCTC will be making provisions for limited eatables and packaged drinking water on payment basis in trains that have a pantry car attached. Face masks, temperature screening, thermal screenings, social distancing, and use of Aarogya Setu are compulsory as per the guidelines.
Inter-state buses
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The MHA release states that people and goods can travel inter-state without separate permits, however, states can take individual decisions based on the health situation of their areas.
Metro Services
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Irrespective of the zones, the guidelines issued bars on all forms of metro services from resuming operations.
General Travel Guidelines
While the guidelines allow free movement of people and good – both, interstate and intrastate, a night curfew from 21:00 hours IST to 05:00 hours IST has been implemented. All people, except for essential services, have been prohibited from venturing out to the streets at this hour.
During the day, people can visit religious places of worship, restaurants, malls, and hotels, effective June 8 as per the guidelines. The guidelines further state that people living in containment zones have been restricted from doing so. Other services such as educational institutions, cinemas, gyms, bars, assembly halls, entertainment parks, etc., will continue to remain closed until further phases of the unlocking are released.
As per the guidelines, people over the age of 65, children under 10, and vulnerable groups such as pregnant women and those with co-morbidities have been advised to stay home unless necessary.
Related: #SomeGoodNews: Domestic Flights Begin Operations With A Set Limit On Airfares
Bayar Jain
Senior Content Manager
Equipped with a degree in Sociology (Honours) from the University of Delhi and a postgraduate diploma in English Journalism and Mass Communication from Xavier Institute of Communications, Mumbai, Bayar enjoys sharing stories of people, places, and different cultures. When not typing her travel tales, you can catch the hobbyist photographer capturing the next frame, dabbling in arts and crafts, or gushing over puppies and kittens.
