India: Western states continue to enforce COVID-19 restrictions as of Aug. 17 /update 33

Event

Authorities in the western Indian states of Goa, Gujarat, and Maharashtra continue to adjust controls as of Aug. 17 amid ongoing COVID-19 activity. Officials typically prohibit nonessential activity during curfews; officials usually permit cargo transit, specific industries, workplaces requiring night operations, limited transport services, and deliveries to continue. The strictest curbs, such as stay-home orders and entry and exit controls, will continue in containment zones with a significant number of COVID-19 cases.

As of Aug. 17, various measures are in effect in the following states:

• Goa: Officials have extended restrictions statewide through Aug. 23. Weddings and political and cultural gatherings can take place with protocols, such as a maximum limit of 100 people or half the venue's capacity. Bars and restaurants can operate at half their capacity through 23:00 nightly. Several facilities, like casinos, cinemas, and educational institutions, remain closed. Shops may operate 07:00-18:00; home delivery services are allowed at any time. Authorities now allow entry for tourists. People entering Goa from most locations must either be fully vaccinated or provide negative result from a recognized COVID-19 test taken within 72 hours before arrival; exceptions are in place for returning Goa residents and people on official trips. Officials require passengers coming from Kerala State to present negative result from an RT-PCR test taken within 72 hours before arrival. While authorities do not mandate quarantine for most international entrants, entrants from the UK must take an on-arrival RT-PCR test and quarantine at their residence for 14 days.

• Gujarat: Officials have extended the nightly 23:00-06:00 curfew in the high-risk areas of Ahmedabad, Bhavnagar, Gandhinagar, Jamnagar, Junagadh, Rajkot, Surat, and Vadodara through Aug. 28. Commercial establishments, including shopping centers and grooming facilities and sports and religious venues in areas with night curfews, can open through 21:00 daily. Restaurants can operate dine-in services at 60 percent capacity until 22:00, and home delivery services may operate through 23:59. Additionally, buses can operate at 75-percent capacity. Government and private offices may reopen at full capacity. Outdoor functions can occur with up to 400 people. Asymptomatic domestic entrants are not required to undergo testing or quarantine. Officials require travelers to Surat to produce negative results of a PCR test taken within 72 hours before departure, download the Surat Municipal Corporation COVID-19 tracker mobile application for contact tracing, and quarantine at their residence for seven days, though the enforcement is unclear. International arrivals to the state must hold negative results of a COVID-19 test when entering.

• Maharashtra: Authorities are easing restrictions statewide. Offices can operate on-site with controls, like staggered working hours. Local trains can resume operations for fully-vaccinated citizens and frontline and essential workers. Eateries can operate at half their capacity through 22:00 nightly. All shops can open through 22:00 daily with protocols, including requiring all workers to be fully vaccinated. Enhanced measures, which typically include suspending nonessential businesses and requiring people entering or exiting to hold movement passes, remain in effect in several high-risk districts. Officials require all domestic entrants to the state to carry a negative RT-PCR test result issued within 48 hours of entry. Asymptomatic arrivals must quarantine at home for 14 days; those leaving the state within seven days are exempt. Multiple states require travelers from Maharashtra State to carry negative results of an RT-PCR COVID-19 test taken within 72 hours before departure. International passengers from the Middle East, Europe, and the UK must undergo quarantine in a designated facility for seven days, followed by a week-long home quarantine. Travelers from other international locations may quarantine at home for 14 days if holding negative results of a PCR test taken within 72 hours before departure.

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 leading up to curfews. Sporadic clashes are possible if groups attempt to enforce business closures or defy official orders. Police may 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 additional 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.

Resources

Ministry of Health and Family Welfare Help Page
Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) Twitter
Goa State COVID-19 Portal
Mumbai COVID-19 Portal
World Health Organization (WHO)