Travel Restrictions: Interstate Travel Allowed Or Not?

During the COVID-19 pandemic, inter-state travel was restricted in many countries. In India, inter-state travel was allowed only for distressed workers, students, and those with vaccination appointments. In Malaysia, inter-state travel was not allowed in states under Phase One and Phase Two of the National Recovery Plan. In the United States, inter-state travel was restricted to essential workers and those with approved travel passes. The restrictions on inter-state travel have had significant impacts on individuals, families, and businesses, and have led to debates about the balance between public health and personal freedom.

Inter-state travel allowed for 'distressed' workers and students

On April 29, 2020, the Indian government allowed inter-state travel for distressed workers, students, tourists, and pilgrims stranded in various places across the country amid the Covid-19 lockdown. The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) asked state governments to appoint nodal officers to facilitate the movement of people within and between states. The MHA also stated that all those seeking to return should be screened first and allowed to return only if they are found to be asymptomatic.

Union Home Secretary Ajay Bhalla clarified that the facilitation was meant only for "distressed persons" stranded at different places due to the nationwide lockdown. He added that it did not extend to those who normally resided away from their native places for work and wished to visit their homes.

The order came a day after the Supreme Court asked the Centre to respond to petitions requesting that migrant labourers without Covid-19 be allowed to return to their home states. The Centre had already permitted Uttar Pradesh to bring back migrant workers from Haryana, leading to questions from other states about the lockdown guidelines.

In response to the order, states were required to appoint nodal bodies and develop protocols for the interstate movement of people. Buses were allowed for this purpose, with social distancing and sanitization measures in place. Upon arrival at their destinations, individuals were required to undergo home or institutional quarantine as advised.

It is important to note that this information is from 2020, and the current regulations on inter-state travel may have changed. For the most up-to-date information, please refer to official government sources or news outlets.

Inter-state travel suspended in Malaysia

Malaysia has suspended all inter-state and inter-district travel to curb the spread of COVID-19. The ban was initially implemented in areas under the strict movement control order (MCO) but has since been extended nationwide. The suspension of travel affects states under Phase One and Phase Two of the National Recovery Plan (PPN). This means that only individuals with vaccination appointments outside of their respective districts and states are permitted to travel inter-state or inter-district. Inspector-General of Police Datuk Seri Acryl Sani Abdullah Sani has stated that those with vaccination appointments must show proof of their appointments to the authorities via MySejahtera, the Covid-19 Vaccine Supplies Access Guarantee Special Committee website, or short messaging service (SMS).

The ban on inter-state and inter-district travel will be in place until June 6, 2021. This period includes Hari Raya Aidilfitri, Malaysia's biggest annual festival, during which many people usually travel to meet their families and friends. The government has banned the pre-Hari Raya balik kampung (return to hometown) exodus for the second year in a row. However, people living in the same state were initially allowed to visit one another for the festival, provided the numbers in each house at any one time were limited to between 15 and 25 people. The new ban on inter-district travel will further reduce these visits.

Senior Minister for Security Ismail Sabri Yaakob has stated that inter-district and inter-state travel will be allowed only with police permission. Social functions by the public and private sector are also banned during this period. This is the first time that inter-district travel curbs and a ban on gatherings have been imposed nationwide since March 2020.

The new measures come as Malaysia's healthcare system struggles to cope with a surge of COVID-19 cases. As of Sunday, May 9, 2021, there were 37,060 active cases and 416 cases in ICUs, the highest number so far during the pandemic. Twenty-six deaths were recorded on that day, also the highest daily figure.

Inter-state travel allowed in India's Lockdown 4.0

India's fourth extension of the coronavirus lockdown, which came into effect on March 25, 2020, has seen the government announce a number of relaxations. One of the biggest changes is that inter-state travel is now permitted. This means that people can now travel by road to other cities in different states, provided they have the consent of the states involved.

The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has issued guidelines stating that the inter-state movement of passenger vehicles and buses is allowed, but only with the mutual consent of the states or Union Territories (UTs) involved. This also applies to intra-state travel, which will be decided by the respective state or UT. However, it is important to note that these relaxations do not apply to containment zones.

While inter-state travel is now permitted, there are still several restrictions in place. All domestic and international flights will remain suspended, except for those allowed by the Home Ministry for security, medical, or other permitted purposes. Similarly, metro trains will not operate during this time, and schools, colleges, hotels, restaurants, and shopping malls will remain closed.

The lockdown measures have been extended until May 31, with the government citing the need to contain the spread of COVID-19. The country has recorded over 90,000 cases and nearly 3,000 deaths at the time of the announcement.

Inter-state travel allowed by bus and cab in India

The Indian government has allowed inter-state travel by road during the COVID-19 lockdown, provided there is mutual consent between the states involved. This includes the movement of passenger vehicles, cars, and buses. However, it is important to note that these rules do not apply to containment zones.

The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has issued guidelines for the fourth phase of the lockdown, which include the permission of inter-state travel with certain restrictions. The MHA guidelines were announced on the same day that the third phase of the lockdown came to an end. The lockdown was first implemented on March 25 and has since been extended multiple times, with the fourth extension occurring on May 17, 2020.

While inter-state travel by road is permitted, air and rail travel remain suspended for domestic and international passengers. This includes all metro trains and flights, except for those allowed by the Home Ministry for security and medical purposes. Additionally, schools and colleges will remain closed.

To ensure social distancing, local authorities have been instructed to implement staggered opening times for shops and markets. The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has also advised that the lockdown measures be continued until May 31, 2020.

For those wishing to travel by bus, online bus ticket booking is available through IRCTC. This service offers various advantages, such as the ability to choose preferred seats, bus type, pickup and drop-off points, and timings. It is important to note that a government-issued ID card with the same name as the ticket is mandatory for bus travel.

Inter-state travel allowed by road, not by air

Inter-state travel by road has been permitted in some countries, but it's important to note that this applies specifically to travel by road and not by air. While individuals can now drive to other cities and states, air travel remains suspended. This means that individuals cannot travel by air to different states, and air travel for domestic and international passengers is prohibited.

The permission for inter-state travel by road comes with certain conditions and restrictions. For example, in some countries, inter-state bus services are allowed, but both states must consent to this arrangement. This means that travel between specific states may be permitted, while travel between other states may still be restricted. It is crucial to check the regulations for the specific states involved in your travel plans.

Additionally, it's important to note that inter-state travel by road may not be allowed in certain phases of a region's recovery plan. For instance, inter-state travel may be prohibited in states under Phase One and Phase Two of a National Recovery Plan. In such cases, only individuals with vaccination appointments outside of their respective states are allowed to travel inter-state, and they must provide proof of their appointments to the authorities.

The relaxation of inter-state travel restrictions is often implemented with specific categories of individuals in mind, such as \"distressed persons\" or those with vaccination appointments. In some cases, social activities that can lead to crowds and make physical distancing difficult are still prohibited. It is important to comply with the standard operating procedures issued by the relevant authorities to ensure the safety and well-being of all individuals.

When planning inter-state travel by road, it is essential to stay informed about the latest guidelines, restrictions, and requirements for the specific states involved. These guidelines may include consent provisions, vaccination requirements, or other safety measures. By staying informed and adhering to the regulations, individuals can ensure they are complying with the necessary protocols and contributing to the collective effort to manage the pandemic effectively.

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