COVID-19 negative report from 5 states must to enter Delhi

Travellers from Maharashtra, Kerala, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh and Punjab will need a negative coronavirus test report to enter Delhi from February 26 to March 15.

According to the media reports, with a rise in the cases in Maharashtra and other states, the Delhi government has made negative RT-PCR test mandatory for those travelling to Delhi via air. People travelling by road may be exempted.

Officers in these states will be asked to verify Covid negative reports from tests taken up to 72 hours before the flight before allowing passengers to leave for Delhi. The new rule will be in place from Friday midnight to March 15, 12 noon.

The decision was taken with a motive to curb the rising number of cases in the national capital. According to the Delhi Health Department, the total count of cases has risen to 6,38,173, including 6,26,216 recoveries and 10,903 deaths. The bulletin said the national capital has 639 containment zones.

Maharashtra and Kerala alone account for 75% of the country's current active cases after a sudden rise in new infections in recent days.

On Tuesday, Maharashtra recorded the highest number of 5,210 new cases, followed by Kerala (2,212) and Tamil Nadu (449). Maharashtra reported 18 deaths, followed by Kerala with 16 and Punjab 15, said the health ministry.

Meanwhile, India reported 13,742 new Covid-19 cases and 104 deaths due to the infection in the last 24 hours, the Union Health Ministry said on Wednesday. With 104 deaths, India's toll has mounted to 1,56,567, while 14,037 people have been cured and discharged so far.