India: Officials extending and amending COVID-19 controls in northeastern states as of Aug. 3 /update 30

Event

Authorities in northeastern Indian states continue to adjust COVID-19 controls amid ongoing COVID-19 activity. Curfews and limits on nonessential activity are active across the region. Officials prohibit nonessential activity during curfews; cargo transit, specific industries, workplaces requiring night operations, limited transport services, and deliveries are allowed. The strictest curbs will continue in containment zones with a significant number of COVID-19 cases. Such areas typically face additional entry and exit controls, as well as stay-home orders. Progressive relaxations in measures are likely in the coming weeks due to decreasing disease activity.

As of Aug. 3, the following measures are in effect or announced:

• Arunachal Pradesh: Authorities have extended restrictions through Sept. 1. Officials are imposing an 18:00-05:00 nightly curfew statewide. Shops and other commercial establishments may operate outside of the curfew times. Public transport may operate at 50-percent seating capacity. Autorickshaws and taxis may operate with one driver and two passengers; all people must wear facemasks in vehicles. E-commerce services are allowed. Officials are imposing enhanced measures in Itanagar, where a 15:00-05:00 curfew is in effect until further notice. Movement of vehicles and people is banned, except for essential reasons. Businesses, shops, and government offices may operate until 13:30. Entry into and out of Itanagar is prohibited during curfew hours. Transport due to medical emergencies is allowed during curfew hours; travelers must obtain an e-pass. All arrivals to the state must undergo rapid antigen tests (RAT); however, asymptomatic people and those with a negative obtained within 72 hours are exempted from the test and do not need to undergo quarantine. If an entrant tests positive on the RAT test, the individual must quarantine at home until they test negative.

• Assam: Authorities have eased some restrictions as of Aug. 3. Officials are imposing a 14:00-05:00 curfew in Lakhimpur and Golaghat districts. All other districts are under a 17:00-05:00 curfew. Inter-district movement is suspended, though goods transport may continue. All commercial establishments, businesses, dine-in and takeaway services at restaurants, and hotels may operate until 13:00 in Lakhimpur and Golaghat and until 16:00 in all other districts. Grocery shops may open until 17:00 in Golaghat and Lakhimpur and until 16:00 in all other districts. All arrivals must undergo RAT tests at the point of entry. Inbound travelers who have obtained a negative PCR test within 72 hours before departure are typically exempt. If an individual tests positive on the RAT test, they must quarantine at home until they test negative. If an entrant from outside the state tests negative on the RAT test, they must undergo home quarantine for seven days.

• Manipur: Insurance offices and banks may open 10:00-14:30 daily, though most other nonessential businesses and offices remain closed. Officials are allowing food and grocery deliveries. Officials require people to stay home; exceptions are only made for people receiving vaccinations and COVID-19 tests. Essential shops and permitted establishments may open for limited hours daily. Entry and exit are restricted. All entrants must register online beforehand and carry negative results of an RT-PCR test for COVID-19 taken within 72 hours before arrival. All passengers entering Manipur must obtain an e-pass from the Deputy Commissioner of their home district. Authorities conduct thermal screening for all passengers, with enhanced screening in effect for individuals arriving from Maharashtra, Kerala, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Punjab, Rajasthan, Haryana, and Tamil Nadu. Arrivals from those states must quarantine at home until they receive a negative RT-PCR test result.

• Meghalaya: Local authorities in some areas continue to impose curfews and other curbs, including the suspension of public buses, as of Aug. 3. West Garo Hills District continues to implement stricter rules, including a 17:00-05:00 daily curfew, through Aug. 9. Essential shops may operate 08:00-16:00 Monday to Friday in most areas of West Garo Hills; non-essential shops may open 08:00-13:00 between Tuesdays and Thursdays. Officials allow up to 20 percent of nonessential businesses to operate in most districts, subject to rules by local authorities. (Please Remove) Most government and private offices and eateries must operate at a maximum of 50-percent capacity. Residents must obtain movement passes online to exit homes in containment areas or during curfew hours and undertake inter-district or interstate travel. The odd-even rule for personal vehicles continues statewide; public and commercial vehicles are exempt. Typically, affected vehicles with even registration numbers may only drive on even days and vice versa; local authorities may issue varied guidelines. Intra-district public transport may operate at 50-percent passenger capacity. All arrivals entering the state must register online before traveling and download the Arogya Set App and Behavioural Change App of Meghalaya. All entrants must receive an RT-PCR test upon arrival; fully vaccinated arrivals are exempted from the test. All travelers must quarantine for seven days from arrival regardless of the result of the RT-PCR test. Arrivals may quarantine either at home or at a designated facility, depending on the test result.

• Mizoram: Authorities are enforcing enhanced restrictions in Aizawl through at least Aug. 7. Only essential shops may open. Officials are allowing travel and ground transport of goods outside Aizawl. Statewide measures are also ongoing. Educational institutions, private offices, and establishments such as gyms must remain closed. Takeaway and e-commerce services are allowed. However, measures across the state may vary, as local governments are adjusting the severity of restrictions according to caseloads. Entrants must register on the Mizoram government portal and undergo on-arrival rapid antigen testing. All arrivals must provide a negative RT-PCR test obtained within 72 hours of departure. Travelers who test positive and symptomatic arrivals must quarantine at home for 10 days and receive an additional RT-PCR test. Travelers who test negative may avoid quarantine.

• Nagaland: Authorities continue to impose restrictions statewide through at least Aug, 18. A nightly curfew is in effect 20:00-04:00. Shops may open 06:00-18:00. Private and public buses may operate at 50-percent seating capacity. Interdistrict movement is allowed for essential personnel. Entrants must register on the Nagaland government portal beforehand and carry negative results of a PCR COVID-19 test taken within 72 hours before arrival. They must also download the Aarogya Setu and nCOVID Nagaland Visitors mobile applications. Fully vaccinated arrivals and asymptomatic passengers may avoid quarantine; travelers who have not been fully vaccinated or are symptomatic must quarantine for seven days. Arrivals from Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh, Karnataka, Kerala, Punjab, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Rajasthan, and Delhi may face enhanced screening.

• Sikkim: Officials are banning most gatherings and social activities until further notice. Retail shops, offices, delivery services, dine-in eateries, and sports facilities are functional. Vehicles must follow the odd-even rule, under which vehicles with an odd registration number are allowed on odd-numbered days and vice versa; government and cargo vehicles are exempt from the rule. Inter-district travel is allowed. Authorities are allowing fully vaccinated passengers and individuals with a negative RT-PCR test obtained with 72 hours of departure to enter Sikkim. Officials may require symptomatic arrivals to undergo quarantine at a government-designated facility.

• Tripura: Authorities are enforcing a 19:00-05:00 statewide nightly curfew through Aug. 31. Stores and shopping malls may operate 08:00-18:00; restaurants may also open until 18:00. Some establishments, such as cinemas, gyms, and sports complexes, may open at 30-percent capacity. Indoor events may function at 30-percent capacity. Authorities are allowing e-commerce deliveries. Inter-district movement is allowed. All entrants arriving via any route must carry a negative COVID-19 test obtained within 72 hours of departure; arrivals who do not have a negative test result must undergo on-arrival tests for COVID-19 at the point of entry. Symptomatic individuals and those who test positive must quarantine for 14 days.

Advice

Follow national health and safety measures. Reconfirm business appointments, deliveries, work, and travel arrangements. Do not check out of accommodation without confirming onward travel. Monitor official sources for further updates and guidance. Maintain contact with your diplomatic representation. Ensure contingency plans account for further disruptive measures or extensions of current restrictions. Ensure access to essential items. Carry proper identification documents during travel.

Resources

Ministry of Health and Family Welfare Help Page
Arunachal Pradesh State Government COVID-19 Portal
Manipur State Electronic Pass Application
Meghalaya State COVID-19 Portal
Meghalaya State Movement Pass Application
Mizoram State COVID-19 Portal
Nagaland State Department of Health and Family Welfare
Sikkim State Government COVID-19 Portal
Tripura State Government COVID-19 Portal
World Health Organization (WHO)