Pune Quarantine Rules: Guideline for Road, Train Travel, Flight

The city of Pune not only boasts great weather throughout the year, but is also a beautiful concoction of forts, palaces, gardens and temples. Often deemed to be the cultural capital for Marathas, Pune recently saw a lull in the number of leisure and business tourists when COVID struck and the number of cases went up very quickly. However, since the central and state governments have eased lockdowns recently and are taking measures for people and businesses to get used to the new normal, travelling to Pune is once again possible. Following Pune quarantine rules and taking precautionary measures is mandatory though.

So, whether you are travelling to Pune by air, rail or road, read on to know what guidelines you should keep in mind. 

Pune Quarantine Rules for International Passengers

If you are flying to Pune from a foreign country, these are the rules you should follow:

• Before 8^th August, the rule for all international passengers was that, they had to undergo 7 days of institutional quarantine followed by 7 days of home quarantine, if found to be asymptomatic. Those suffering from any serious illness, or pregnant, or had a death in the family or were accompanied by kids under 10 years could get exemption from institutional quarantine, if they submitted the request on http://www.newdelhiairport.in/ 72 hours (at least) before the scheduled departure.
• Since 8^th August, international passengers can be exempted from institutional quarantine if they produce a negative COVID test report issued by an authentic lab. The test must be done within 96 hours to the day of arrival. You have to upload it online as well, before boarding.
• All passengers should install the Aarogya Setu app on their mobile phones and update their health status.

Read these State-wise Quarantine Rules to Avoid any Inconvenience

Pune Quarantine Rules for Domestic Flights

All domestic passengers have to abide by the following rules:  

• If you are travelling to Pune for business and plan to stay for a maximum of 7 days, you won’t have to undergo quarantine for 14 days. However, you have to provide a return journey or onward journey proof and fill in details of your health status on the Aarogya Setu app.
• Post arrival, you must fill up and submit a health declaration form too.
• Domestic passengers will be allowed to leave the airport after thermal screening, and their left hand will be quarantine stamped if necessary.

Pune Quarantine Rules for Train Travel

While train passengers don’t need to home quarantine for 14 days unless they show symptoms, they must follow these rules:

• All passengers must wear masks at all times while travelling.
• You should reach the station at least 90 minutes before the scheduled departure time, to ease the process of thermal screening.
• Tickets can be booked online only, via IRCTC mobile app or website.
• You will be allowed to travel only if you have confirmed tickets and don’t show any symptoms.
• Social distancing must be observed at the station and while travelling on the train.
• Refund and cancellation rules will apply.
• Edibles and drinking water will be provided on limited trains and based on payment. Food stalls and vending units at the station will only offer takeaway items. Passengers should ideally carry their own food and water.
• You should carry your own linen and blankets.
• Carry as little luggage as possible and use the Aarogya Setu app to update your health status.

Pune Quarantine Rules for Road Travel

Those who want to travel intra-district in Pune can avail the MSRTC bus service for 40 routes. Here are the things to keep in mind:

• Though you won’t need an e-pass, you must wear a mask while travelling.
• MSRTC buses will start from Wakdewadi and Swargate and will go to places like Paud, Bhor, Baramati, Saswad, Bhimashankar, Shirur, Indapur, Nira, Patas, Mulashi, Velha, Junnar, Narayangaon, Daund, Alephata and Rajgurunagar.
• As per ICMR rules, all those who are travelling by bus must undergo 10 days of home quarantine.

Pune Quarantine Hotels

Since COVID hospitals in the city lack enough capacity to house a large number of patients, many hotels are acting as private care centers. These hotels are sanitized regularly and have doctors, nurses, 24×7 monitoring system and emergency facilities to cater to patients. Hotel Nandanvan, Hotel Bizz Tamanna and Hotel Kapila are a few of the options.   

To conclude, keeping the above Pune quarantine details in mind will help you to have a safe and smooth trip. For more information or in case of need, you can call Pune quarantine helpline numbers 104 or 020 – 26127394. Or, you can send an email to ncov2019@gov.in.