Guidelines for domestic travel: How to travel safely in train, flight and buses

After the long duration of lockdown and the beginning of the unlock phases,  domestic flights were also given a green chit in the end of May. By 1^st June – 501 flights were resumed with 44, 593 flyers as informed by Civil Aviation Minister Hardeep Singh Puri by the tweet. Now, from 22^nd July, International flights are going to be resumed.

Here are a few more guidelines for travel safely in flights. Have a look:

1. Mandate thermal screening: Passengers need to sign an undertaking stating that they are not arriving from containment zones and are not showing symptoms of the Coronavirus. Download of Aarogya App is must.
2. Follow check-in rules: Only one cabin baggage and one check-in baggage are allowed during air travel. Alongwith one cabin baggage, a laptop or handbag can be carried. According to National Management Authority (NDMA), all the check-ins has to be done via web, so that social distancing can be avoided.
3. Take printouts of baggage tags: At the time of check – in, one has to take printouts of baggage tags. In case a printer facility is not working, passengers can simply write the PNR and their name on the paper and paste on the baggage.
4. Food and lodging: No food will be served. Passengers can bring their own dry food item. Though, it is recommended not to eat inside the aircraft unless necessary. For connecting flights, passengers have to wait in transit areas where refreshments will be made available, as hotels are closed.
5. Wheelchairs only on request: It is another important guideline for travel safety in flights where Wheelchair will be provided to the elderly only on the request, as they are more susceptible to infection. All the equipment need to be sanitized properly.

Starting from 12^th May, Indian Railways have resumed train services.  The major destinations from where trains will be started include Chennai, New Delhi, Ranchi, Mumbai Central, Bhubaneswar, Secunderabad, Thiruvananthapuram, Agartala and Howrah. Railways have also announced a new set of Standard Operating Protocol (SOP) to be obeyed by the passengers. Let’s look at their guidelines to travel safe in train during COVID – 19.

1. Early arrival: Passengers need to visit the station 90 minutes before the departure.
2. E-Tickets: Passengers with confirmed e-tickets will be allowed to enter the railway station premises.
3. Passenger screening: All the passengers will be screened and give entry only to asymptomatic passengers.
4. Hand sanitizer will be provided: Passengers will be given hand sanitizers at the entry and exit points and also on board the train.
5. Wear face mask: Passengers would need to wear masks during the travel and in the station premises.
6. Maintain social distancing: Passengers need to maintain atleast 6 feet distancing from others on the station and in the train too.
7. Lack of facilities: Trains will no more be equipped with linen, blankets or curtains. No stalls, or booths will be allowed to open on the station platforms. Passengers can bring their own food.
8. Reservation details: Reservations will only be made through the IRCTC mobile app or website. No RAC/Waiting list booking will be offered for these special trains.
9. Tatkal bookings suspended: Tatkal bookings have been suspended. Though, passengers are allowed to cancel their tickets 24 hours before the train departure time. The cancellation fee would be 50% of the total fare.