Mumbai: Here's the list of things to keep in mind before travelling in and around the city

COVID-19 cases in the city of Mumbai are increasing at an alarming rate and keeping the same in mind, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) along with the state government has taken necessary steps to curb the spread. Strict restrictions have been imposed to break the chain and new guidelines have been issued for public and private transport services. To ensure restricted movement, the general public will not be allowed to travel by Mumbai Local Trains and buses.

Besides, the e-pass system that was used by police across most states last year to allow vehicular travel between other districts or states is now back in Maharashtra, although this time, it is specifically designed for the personal use of citizens in “extreme emergency” situations.

Here’s the list of new SOPs:

Guidelines for travelling in a private vehicle    

• Citizens have been asked to travel only for emergency services or for legitimate purposes, whereby only 50 per cent of the vehicle capacity will be allowed, inclusive of the driver.
• Inter-district or travelling from one city to another is not allowed.
• Inter-district and inter-city travel will be allowed only if the essential service's guidelines are met. Meanwhile, travel will be permitted in case of a medical emergency, funeral or serious illness in the family.
• Passengers violating the rules will have to pay a fine of INR 10,000.
• All Government personnel (State/ Central/ Local), Tickets/ passes to be issued to the above category of personnel on the basis of a Government-issued identity card only.
• For all Medical Personnel (Doctors/ paramedics/ lab technicians/ hospital and medical clinic staff etc) tickets/ passes to be issued on the basis of an identity card issued by the concerned medical organization.
• Any persons needing medical treatment or specially-abled persons to one person need to accompany the needy.

Following will be the guidelines for using public transport

• Citizens under the below-mentioned categories will be able to use Mumbai local trains, metro and monorail services. This will not be permitted for long-distance trains
• Tickets and passes will be issued to all Government employees (State, Central and Local) on the basis of the identity card issued by the Government.
• All Medical Officers-Staff (doctors, paramedical, laboratory technicians and hospital staff etc.) will be issued tickets and passes on the basis of the identity card issued by their medical institution.
• If any person is in need of medical treatment or is disabled, then an additional person can accompany them for the visit.
• Public buses owned by the state government or local administration can carry 50 per cent of the capacity and standing passengers will be allowed.

For long-distance travel in Public and Private Passenger Transport:

i. Bus service operator must restrict the stoppages to a maximum of two in a city and shall inform local DMA about the same and the schedule. Local DMA may ask to change these if so desired.

ii. At the stoppages where passengers are alighting all passengers shall be stamped on the hand for 14 days home quarantine. This stamping must be done by the operator.

iii. Thermal scanners shall be used and anyone with symptoms shall be moved to corona care centres or to a hospital.

iv. Local DMA may decide to do the RAT test at the alighting point by appointing one of the authorised labs to give these services. The cost of the test, if so decided shall be borne by the passenger/ service provider.

v. If an operator is found to be flouting these guidelines, then DMA may levy a fine of INR 10000/-. Repeated defaults will lead to the cancellation of the license to operate till the end of notification of COVID-19 as a pandemic.

vi. The local Disaster Management Authority can waive off the rules regarding mandatory stamping for buses arriving from certain origins as per the local conditions.