India: Authorities enforcing COVID-19 restrictions across southern states as of Aug. 3 /update 35

Event

States in southern India continue to enforce COVID-19 controls as of Aug. 3. Unauthorized public gatherings are banned, while educational, recreational, and sports facilities and dine-in eateries are mostly closed. Curfews and limits on nonessential activity are active in most regions. Local variations may exist in the states and union territories. The strictest curbs, such as entry and exit controls and stay-home orders, will continue in containment zones with a significant number of COVID-19 cases.

As of Aug. 3, various measures are in place in the following states or union territories:

• Andaman and Nicobar: Enhanced curbs, such as stay-home orders, are in effect in South Andaman District as of Aug. 3. A 21:00-05:00 curfew is active regionwide until further notice. Essential stores and services can operate with reduced operating hours. Public transport vehicles operate with passenger capacity caps. Tourism activities are suspended until further notice. Incoming air passengers must carry negative results of a PCR COVID-19 test taken within 48 hours before departure and undergo free rapid antigen testing upon arrival. Entrants to the union territory and freight vehicle operators on interdistrict trips along National Highway 4 (NH 4) must either produce negative results of a PCR test for COVID-19 taken within 48 hours before departure from the origin point or undergo paid rapid antigen testing upon arrival. Asymptomatic arrivals must quarantine at home for seven days. Only pre-approved essential travelers with PCR test results may enter or transit tribal areas, comprising the Jarawa tribal reserve in the south and Middle Andaman, Little Andaman, Nicobar District, and Rangat Tehsil protect tribal populations from COVID-19 outbreaks. Entrants to tribal areas must also quarantine at home for 10 days.

• Andhra Pradesh: A 22:00-06:00 curfew is in effect statewide through at least Aug. 14. Officials require commercial establishments to close by 21:00. People must wear facemasks in public areas. Arrivals must register online up to 72 hours before travel on the Spandana website. Asymptomatic entrants, including international travelers who arrive from high-risk locations like Brazil and the UK and test negative for COVID-19 upon arrival, will undergo a 14-day home quarantine.

• Karnataka: Authorities are enforcing a 22:00-05:00 curfew in parts of the state, especially Bengaluru, as of Aug. 3. Some public facilities, such as cinemas and auditoriums, may operate at reduced capacities. Metro services may operate in Bengaluru until 21:00. Most commercial establishments may open until 21:00 while adhering to health protocols. Interstate transport measures vary by district; officials in some areas may banning bus services serving high-risk locations like Maharashtra State. Domestic arrivals must register online up to 72 hours before travel. Entrants from Kerala and Maharashtra states must either carry a vaccination certificate or present a negative result from a COVID-19 test taken within 72 hours before arrival. International passengers must produce negative results of a COVID-19 test taken within 72 hours before departure and must undergo a 14-day quarantine either at home or a designated facility, depending on officials' assessments.

• Kerala: Officials continue to enforce restrictions as of Aug. 3. Domestic arrivals must register online via the Jagratha portal up to 72 hours before travel. Fully vaccinated entrants do not need a negative COVID-19 test result, but unvaccinated travelers must carry negative results of an RT-PCR COVID-19 test taken within 72 hours before arrival. Asymptomatic entrants must quarantine at home for 14 days. Passengers without results of pre-departure testing may undergo on-arrival testing and wait for negative results before boarding a connecting flight or exiting the airport; such passengers may serve their 14-day quarantine at home. Pre-approved domestic travelers leaving the state within seven days are exempt from quarantine.

• Puducherry: Authorities have extended restrictions through Aug. 15. A 22:00-05:00 curfew is in effect. Officials allow some tourist sites to operate at reduced capacity. Public and private transport and most shops and food establishments may operate with capacity limits through 21:00. Private offices may operate from 09:00-18:00. Asymptomatic domestic travelers are not required to quarantine.

• Tamil Nadu: Officials have extended restrictions through Aug. 9. Authorities continue to ban interstate transport, except for services serving Puducherry. Commercial establishments may operate with operating hours and capacity limits. Officials typically advise asymptomatic entrants - including international travelers entering with a COVID-19 test result obtained within the previous 72 hours - to monitor their health for 14 days. Domestic passengers intending to leave within 72 hours are exempt from testing and quarantine. Entrants from Kerala State will have to show a negative result from a COVID-19 test from Aug. 5. Arrivals from high-risk domestic locations like Kerala, and Brazil, South Africa, the UK, Europe, and the Middle East must quarantine at home for at least seven days.

• Telangana: Authorities continue to enact social distancing measures and require people to wear facemasks in public and workplaces as of Aug. 3. While asymptomatic domestic travelers from most locations are not required to undergo tests or quarantine, they must self-monitor their health for 14 days. International entrants from high-risk locations like Brazil and the UK must undergo COVID-19 testing upon arrival. Authorities may require symptomatic international arrivals to quarantine at designated sites.

Emergency and utility services remain operational nationwide. While banks and businesses selling essential goods, such as fuel, food, and medicines, remain open in containment zones, officials will almost certainly regulate price, supply, and opening hours. Panic-buying and associated localized shortages of essential goods may occur in some areas. Sporadic clashes are possible if groups attempt to protest business closures or defy official orders. Police could forcibly disperse unruly crowds. Violators may face legal action. Authorities could modify restrictions at short notice, mainly in major cities.

Advice

Follow all official instructions; minimize outdoor activity to the extent possible. Abide by national health and safety measures. Reconfirm business appointments, deliveries, work, and travel arrangements. Do not check out of accommodation without confirming onward travel. Consider delaying traveling if experiencing symptoms associated with COVID-19, as they may prompt increased scrutiny and delays. Liaise with trusted contacts for further updates and guidance. Maintain contact with your diplomatic representation. Ensure contingency plans account for further disruptive measures or extensions of current restrictions. Reconsider and reconfirm nonemergency health appointments. Ensure access to essential items, plan for queues, and delays at available shopping centers. Carry proper identification documents, and heed all security advisories.

Resources

Ministry of Health and Family Welfare Help Page
Air Suvidha Portal
Andaman and Nicobar Movement Pass Application
Andhra Pradesh COVID-19 Portal
Karnataka COVID-19 Portal
Kerala COVID-19 Portal
Kerala Movement Pass Application
World Health Organization (WHO)