Last week, the Department of Health and Family Welfare Services released new Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for travellers entering Karnataka. The new SOPs offer many relaxations, particularly for inter-state and inter-district travellers.
Inter-district travellers no longer need to be screened at the point of entry and don’t have to undergo institutional quarantine, while inter-state travellers have been given a way out of it.
Here are the new rules for travelling to Karnataka during Lockdown 4.0:
Inter-District Travel
| Category | Quarantine | Testing |
|---|---|---|
| Category 1 (Symptomatic) | * Screened at point of origin (bus station, railway station) * Symptomatic passengers will be referred to fever clinics | Decided at fever clinic |
| Category 2 (Asymptomatic) | *Screened at point of origin *Asymptomatic passengers allowed to travel *No screening for those travelling by private vehicle within Karnataka *No quarantine | Not Required |
Since KSRTC buses became operational on May 19, most relaxations have been seen in inter-district travel. On May 21, the government released a circular taking a step further in the same direction.
It announced that there are no inter-district check-posts for screening in the state and that screening will be done at the point of origin itself (bus stops, railway stations). All passengers who are asymptomatic are allowed to travel, while symptomatic passengers are referred to fever clinics.
The government also said that those travelling in private vehicles don’t need to go through any kind of screening. The circular came after the government had already announced that there would be no need for a pass to travel within the state.
Screening: Passengers are screened at KSRTC bus stops or railway stations for public transport. No screening is required when travelling by private transport.
Testing and Quarantine: Symptomatic (category 1) travellers are sent to fever clinics for assessment and aren’t allowed to travel. All asymptomatic (category 2) travellers are allowed to travel, without the need for quarantine or testing.
Inter-State Travel
[Find new additions/changes in rules at the end of this section, highlighted in pink]
| Category | Quarantine | Testing |
|---|---|---|
| Category 1 (Symptomatic) | *Screened at border check-post on arrival *Sent to DCHC for testing and isolation *14-day Institutional Quarantine | Tested Three Times *Arrival: If positive – sent to DCH If negative – institutional quarantine at CCC/DCHC *5-7 days: If negative – continue institutional quarantine *12-14 days: Released only if negative on third test |
| Category 2 (Asymptomatic) | *Screened at border check-post on arrival *High Risk States: 7 days of institutional quarantine and 7 days of home quarantine *Low Risk States: 14-day home quarantine | Tested Between 5-7 days of arrival *High Prevalence States: If negative – sent for 7-day home quarantine after 7-day institutional quarantine *Exempted Persons- Tested again between 12-14 days |
Seva Sindhu Applications: According to the latest Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) for inter-state travel released on May 22, every inter-state returnee has to obtain an e-Pass obtained from Seva Sindhu.
Applicants are informed via SMS and voice messages about approval and date of arrival. It is compulsory to produce e-Pass at the Border Check Post.
The following sections of people are given priority on Seva Sindhu:
- Those returning to the state due to death in the family
- Those facing medical emergency/terminal illness
- Pregnant women/elderly persons
- Migrant workers/labourers who have been laid off
- Students whose educational institutions/hostels have been closed
- Stranded tourists/pilgrims
- International travellers arriving at airports outside Karnataka.
Quarantine and Testing: In light of lockdown 4.0 relaxations, the new rules include a provision for inter-state travellers to bypass the need for institutional quarantine. They also distinguish between asymptomatic (category-2) travellers from low and high-risk states.
All inter-state travellers who have returned to Karnataka since May 4 will be tested between days 5 and 7 of their arrival.
Symptomatic travellers are tested on arrival and sent to Designated Covid Hospitals (DCH) if positive. If negative, they are sent for 7-days of institutional quarantine, where they are tested again between 5-7 days.
Even if the second test returns negative, they have to continue institutional quarantine for another 7 days. They are released only if the third test (days 12-14) returns negative.
High Risk States (as on May 22): Maharashtra, Gujarat, Delhi, Tamil Nadu, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh
Asymptomatic travellers from high-risk states are sent for 7-days of institutional quarantine. If their test comes out negative, they are released into 7-days of home quarantine after that.
On the other hand, travellers from low-risk areas are sent into 14 days of home quarantine.
Bypassing Institutional Quarantine: Inter-state travellers who get a negative Covid Test Certificate from an ICMR approved lab, which is not more than 2 days old can be exempted from institutional quarantine. Instead, they are sent to 14-days of home quarantine.
Exemptions: Among returnees from high-risk areas, there are exemptions for pregnant women, the elderly (over 80 years of age), persons suffering from terminal illnesses, children under 10 years of age and one attender in each case. They will undergo 14-days of home quaranine instead if their test result is negative.
Businessmen can also bypass quarantine if they bring a negative COVID test with them (conducted not more than 2 days earlier). In case they don’t have a test report, they are sent to paid institutional quarantine in government-approved hotels, where they are tested. After a negative result, they are allowed to do their work and return. If their visit is longer than 5 days, they have to go to a fever clinic to get an extension of another 5 days.
Medical personnel, airline crew, defense, para-military, railways, DRDO, ISRO and PSU officials, union and state ministers also have special exemptions.
Home Quarantine: Only Asymptomatic (Category 2) passengers from low-risk states and exempted categories are allowed 14-days of home quarantine.
UPDATED INTER-STATE TRAVEL RULES (AS OF JULY 16):
On July 6, Karnataka government modified inter-state travel rules yet again. As per the July 6 order, quarantine rules are now uniform for inter-state travellers coming from all states (whereas there were separate rules for travellers from Maharashtra earlier).
Following are the updated rules:
Asymptomatic travellers (Any State): 14-day home quarantine. Institutional quarantine only in case of large family or if home quarantine is not possible.
Symptomatic travellers (Any State): Seven days of hospital isolation at Covid Care Centre (CCC). Tested immediately on arrival. Shifted to COVID Hospital if positive.
Business/Short-term travellers: They have to show confirmed return flight/train tickets that are within seven days from the date of arrival. Exempted from institutional quarantine and testing only if they have a two-day old test report or if they’re staying for less than 48 hours.
Testing: Symptomatic travellers will be tested on arrival itself. Those who develop symptoms later, while in quarantine, will be tested too.
Seva Sindhu: Registration on the Seva Sindhu portal is still mandatory for all travellers coming to or passing through the state. In addition, the state government has also made it mandatory for all airlines, railways and road transport companies to ensure that their passengers have registered on the portal.
International Travel
| Category | Quarantine | Testing |
|---|---|---|
| Category 1 (Symptomatic) | *Screened upon arrival at airport *Sent to DCHC for testing and isolation *14-day institutional quarantine at CCC , followed by 14 day self reporting period | Tested twice – once on arrival and then on 14th day *Arrival: If negative – sent for institutional quarantine at CCCs (hotel/hostel) *12-14 days: If negative – released If positive – sent to DCH for treatment and isolation |
| Category 2 (Asymptomatic) | *Screened upon arrival *Sent to CCC with individual accomodation *14-day Institutional quarantine at CCC, followed by 14-day self reporting period | Tested twice – once on arrival and then on 14th day *Arrival: If negative, sent for institutional quarantine at CCCs (hotel/hostel) *12-14 days: If negative – released If positive – sent to DCH for treatment and isolation |
The SOPs for international travellers were revised on May 21. While they don’t mention the need for registering on Seva Sindhu, the portal has a section for international travel.
Screening: All travellers at points of entry (airports and seaports) are screened for symptoms, as in case of domestic travellers.
The screening process involves a self-reported form, thermal scanning, pulse oximeter reading (to check oxygen saturation in blood), stamping, checking of medical history and categorisation. Travellers are also required to download the three Covid apps.
Testing and Quarantine: All international travellers are subjected to 14 days of institutional quarantine in COVID Care Centres (CCC – paid hotels/hostels).
All international travellers are tested twice – once immediately on arrival and again between the 12th and 14th day.
International travellers will only be released if both tests return negative, after which a 14-day self-reporting period will follow. Institutional quarantine will continue even if the first test is negative.
Travellers whose test results come back positive are sent to Dedicated COVID Hospitals for treatment.
Exemptions: On May 21, the government revised the SOPs for international travellers to offer relaxations to certain groups of people. ‘One attender’ was added to the existing list of exempted persons. It excuses institutional quarantine for:
- pregnant women
- children under 10 years of age
- senior citizens over 80, and
- terminally-ill patients (cancer, chronic kidney disease, etc.)
- one attender in each case
Home Quarantine: Only exempted asymptomatic (Category 2) passengers are allowed home quarantine if their first test on arrival is negative.
General Home Quarantine Rules: While there are variations in rules for travellers from different sources, similar guidelines for home quarantine apply to all.
Home quarantined passengers are stamped and a sticker is placed on the door of their homes. Neighbours and local RWAs are informed and quarantined passengers are monitored by health staff and via follow-up calls.
Passengers are also expected to download three apps – Aarogya Setu, Quarantine Watch (for self-reporting) and Apthamitra (survey of symptoms).
https://m.economictimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/it-was-a-false-positive-for-travellers-as-icmr-says-labs-cant-test-walk-in-cases/articleshow/76027335.cms
This basically means they can’t waste kits on asymptomatic folks. And I agree with that. What i don’t agree with is how the state govt can make such statements without checking with ICMR.
Your information for International arrivals is not updated. As per the Indian embassy in Qatar only 7 days institutional quarantine is required and the next 7 days is home quarantine provided the test is negative on day 7.
thats a central gov guidelines, but states are allowed to make their own, and karnataka gov have made 14 days institutional quarantine rule for international passengers and it is mentioned on state gov website as well.
I am travelling from Uttar Pradesh to Bangalore. Travelling from UP to Delhi via personal vehicle then Delhi to Bangalore via flight. Will it be home quarantine or institutional quarantine?
Even I have similar situation. I want to travel from Haridwar to Bangalore and will have a layover at Delhi airport
I am in Bangalore and my aged parents (over 75) are in Chennai. I need to go to Chennai and bring them back here. Who all will go through quarantine and where? Will I be double quarantined (14+14 days) one for TN entry in Chennai and other for KA entry in Bangalore?
Balakrishnan … Did you get any reply… I have a similar situation.. I want to drive down from bangalore to chennai and bring back my mother on the same day or the next day.
I need to travel to Bangalore for 2 days and I will get back to Kolkata on the 3rd day. Can I bypass quarantine?
Riya , if you get answer do let me know. My marriage is stuck. Need clarity on this. gujarwasia.shubham@gmail.com
Is it necessary to obtain prior approval for arrival of unattended child by air to Bangalore from Kerala
Im want to go Bangalore with in 4days, before 2 months I came to my hometown due to lock down I’m in Andhra pradesh.can I travel to Banglore in a private vehicle, please give me a reply
i am travelling from ahamedabad to bengaluru by domestic flight w
quarantine is required.
I want to go to Banglore for 1-2 days from Maharashtra. Is it possible? What are the procedures.
I want to go back to Bangalore I came on March and now I’m stuck at Nagaland. The thing is we are going to be in home quarantine or? If it is home quarantine then is it going to be sealed it or we don’t get any proper news can you please update it soon as possible
MY Kid is stuck in Walayar(Kerala) and i have to bring her back to my place Bangalore by my own Car.
Kindly let me know the process for the same.
My husband want to travel from Kolkata to Bangalore,he is working in defense,
He is coming by flight, would he require quarantine?
Sir if the traveller is in home quarentine for 14 days and has locked inside home , do all the family members who have not travelled also required to be wiarentine. And what is the process after 14 days, can they go out
Are your family members also home quarantined who has not travelled?
Depends on which city you are. In Karnataka they are quite strict where the entire family is on watch. After 14 days you are permitted to go out. But it is advised to stay at home until there is absolute necessity.
Hi dear Concern ,
i am in Kerala now i need to travel to Bangalore with my family
i have applied pass in savasidhu on 22nd still not approved i have the acknowledgement for the same..
can you please help what is the formalities to travel ?
Sevasindhu acknowledgement is enough to travel form kerala to Bangalore ?
My mother is planning to travel to come to Bangalore from Hyderabad. And as per the guidelines she has to be home quarantine for 14 days. But my doubt here is what if she want travel back to Hyderabad does she has to wait for that 14 days home quarantine to be completed in Bangalore or can be traveled back to the state that she came from and then home quarantine there in Hyderabad. Please suggest.
If she is leaving immediately (less than 7 days or so), she will have to apply for a transit e pass on the seva sindhu portal. Hope this helps.
I have to go to Bangalore to collect my luggage and come back to Noida on the same day. Can I bypass quarantine or will I also be sent to quarantine center.
Did you get any reply. I also have to collect my luggage from Bangalore. Did u manage to get your luggage
You can apply for Transit epass. This requires you to show them a return ticket booked.
Hi, I mother in law is stuck in Pune. Want her back to Banglore. What will be the procedure to follow? She doesn’t have any symptoms of COVID-19. She is in late 50s . Plz suggest.
Thankyou
Iam in kerala now. But i need to go to mangalore. I got one self declaration sheet with a barcode from seva sindhu . Is it that approval or still iam not approved. Please help
Approved
My Son & Daughter-in-Law are stuck up in Chennai since March 23rd. The need to go back to Bangalore by Car where they are put up. What is the procedure.
for travelling to Kerala while entering through Nipani check post and exiting near Hosur do on need to take any pass. I do have the exit pass from Maharashtra and entry pass of Kerala .. Is it needed also to take transit pass to travel on the Highway in across Karanataka to go from this side entering Nipani check post and to enter into Tamilnadu to go to Kerala .The Seva Sindu site is not helpful for such a request . Please guide me on the link so that I can reogster
Yes. Please register on Seva Sindhu app and opt for transit. Hope this helps.
Me and my friend and his wife is travelling from pune to kerala this sunday..as it is long journey we would like to stay in a hotel at Bangalore on Sunday and leave to Kerala next day early morning..can I know do we have an option like that to stay in hotel and leave next day..It yes, what kind of pass I should take .
I am working at baddi in Himachal Pradesh, I was already in home quarantine as I went Delhi on business matters. I am coming to Bangalore to be with my wife for a few days with a return ticket. Do I get quaratined
Sir I am planning to travel to kerala from Hyderabad by next week own car I have family 4 Members including 45 days old new born. Since Total journey is more than 1000Km can we have option of one day transit stay in BLR and then move to Mangalore and exit at Kasaragod .
I am in Gurgaon, Haryana and need to travel to Bangalore to collect my luggage. I will take my flight from New Delhi. Do I have to under go an institution quarantine or home quarantine.
If you are staying for less than 7 days, you could apply for a trasnit e pass on seva sindhu portal. You will need to show your return ticket in this case.
I came back to Bengaluru from Chennai on 2nd June and has been home quarantined for 14 days. I was asked to download quarantine watch app, which I did but not able to register. It says your number is not whitelisted and please contact admin. Someone please help me
Hey sir, I am also planning to travel back to Bangalore on 17 or 18 June. Can you please help me how can I get epass.it will be really helpful to me.
Please register on seva sindhu for entry into Karnataka.
I need to travel to Bangalore along with my father for business purpose for 48 hours .What are the guidelines and documents required for the same
Hi… my mother is planning to return to India via Chennai to Blore next week. She is coming from Toronto, Canada. Can u pls contact me regarding the details of how u managed to come to Blore nd doing home quarantine? She is alone, she is old and has never done air travel before let alone international travel. We could benefit from any help we could get… thank you. My email I’d is sally.natraj@gmail.com
You will have to apply on Seva Sindhu portal and select the reason as special category for older ppl.
Did they taking test or not
They not providing institutional quarantine even for 2 or 3 days
If home quarantine means what they doing
I am from Gujarat and after 8th June I have to travel from Gujarat to Karnataka by road (in a personal vehicle). Is it allowed and what all necessary steps do I have to take?
Evan I have to go to karnataka for exams parpose(in private vehicle). But what and all proofs I need.? And what steps i have to take?
I am in rajahmundry, Andhra Pradesh and need to travel to Bangalore to collect my luggage. I will take my flight from Vijayawada. To be more precise, I will be there in Bangalore for 48 hours. Do I have to under go an institution quarantine or home quarantine.
You can apply for a transit pass. That will require you to show a return ticket booked within 7 days
I will be traveling from HYD to BLR Airport and to Madakasira (AP State) from Airport. Will I be IQ’ed at Airport??????
If a person returns from other state via flight and is home quarantined for 14 days..do the other family members who did not travel also needs to be in home quarantine?
I was staying in Oyo life HSR layout. Due to COVID-19, I came to my hometown in Tamilnadu. Now Oyo sent a mail to vacate our rooms before 20th June. I’ll be there in HSR Layout for less than 24 hours. What is the procedure to enter Bangalore and return back to Tamilnadu within 24 hours?
Hi,
I’m travelling to Canada from Bangalore. But I’m in Hyderabad city now. Coming to Bangalore in own vehicle and planning to go to my relatives home in Bangalore before 1 day of my flight date. Can you please tell me if I can go to my relatives place ?
One of my friends is returning from UK to Bangalore on 18th June. After reaching Bangalore he has to further travel to Anantapur Dist. What procedures he has to follow upon arrival, like where he is supposed to undergo quarantine etc.. thank you.
My son (1.5 year old) and I need to travel to bangalore from Chennai as my parents are old n not able to take care of themselves. We live in the defence community so the rules are strict as it is. Can I be home quarantined for 14 days directly as I will not be able to keep my son in the gov quarantine facility
My mom has to travel from coimbatore to goa via bengaluru(there’s no direct flight to Goa from coimbatore).she will be reaching bengaluru by evening flight n take the next morning flight to Goa. Need to know what procedure she has to follow.
Hi I am from Tamil Nadu from Erode need to travel Banglore and return back on the same day ie in one hour need to vacate my lugguge.
Do I need to be quarantined or what is the procedure to reach out there plz help me out
Hi Satya,
Pls let me know if got any reply. Thanks
My brother passed away to day in Bengaluru. I am in Mumbai aged 72 yrs. I want to go to Bangaluru
by flight. Pl. let me know the quarantine procedure.
I plan to come bangalore it’s home quarantine or institutional quarantine
My brother is working in Electronics city. Me and my parents are settled in Kerala .He is staying alone and was not getting food properly . 4 days back his platelets count went down to 38000 and was in ICU in a hospital , got discharged yesterday with 95000 count which is also very low( actual count should be 150000 and above ). But his immunity is very low so our family doesn’t want him to travel in plane and take risk .
We want to come by our own car there and bring him back . So only two days needed . One day for travelling upwards and one day for travelling back .
Whether quarantine is applicable for this travel . Kindly confirm whether we can come and bring him back by car and rules and regulations to be followed for that . If in this situation he continues there his health will go down. Kindly revert to us how to do and what to do.
hi sir iam from bangalore
i want to visit hyderabad and come back in 5 days
do i need insititutional quaratine or home quaratine is enough?
thank you
hi sir my parents in chennai need to be moved to banglore. my mom is brain stroke patient and my father is 80 years. they need to go to my brother place to take treatment. please suggest the ways. being patient they can be in DCH. can we take a test in chennai and send them next day after getting the results via an ambulance.
HI ,
I want to travel from San Fransico to Bengaluru on an emergency, my destination supposed to be Vijayawada. is there any option for me to get quarantine in Vijayawada instead of Bengaluru?
Sir, I need to report at selection center south, bangalore on 11th of july. I am from aurangabad, maharashtra. So when I should start my journey so that I can reach selection center on time.
I want to collect my luggage from Bengaluru and return back to Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu within a day in a private vehicle (Car). Can you help with the procedure
We want to travel from Muscat to Bangalore, want to know about the precautions we have to take and rules in airport.
Hi I need to attend the army interview on 13 of July for 10 days .so do I need to apply for the sevesindhu for the pass .
i along with my wife want to travel to bangalaru n stay for a month or so .we are absolutely fine .do we need to have institutional quarantine or we can opt for home quarantine .we shall be travelling from noida
How many days I have to live Qurantime. Bangalore city station???????
I am coming to Bangalore to visit my wife from Himachal pradesh. I will come with a return ticket for 10 days Do I get quarantined
I’m at Bangalore now wish to attend a marriage on Monday at trichy (TN). Mode of travel is private cab.
I have e pass for both ways… Now what would be the additional process reqd here.
Pls let me know.
Regards/ Rajan
Hi , My daughter is in Bangalore and I want to drive down from Mumbai , pick her up and return. Will safely say that two days from Mumbai to Bangalore, one day half at Bangalore and two days return . So max 5 – 7 days. Can you please advise how I can do this
I was traveling to banglore in 27th … I am planning to return on same day..
I have applied e pass in seva sindhu… I can return on same day?? Please tell me
If someone travels from Bhopal to Andhra via Bangalore – train from Bhopal to Bangalore and Road transport from Bangalore to Andhra – do they need to be quarantined in Bangalore or at the final destination Andhra. Can someone please advise. Thanks
hai all, iam planing to come to bangalore 24th june to bring my laguage from pg/hostel.. i will return next day 25june.if i come to bnglr they will put me qurantine…?
If i want to go Kerala from Bangalore through Flight E-Pass required or not
Hi
I should travel from Hyderabad to Banglore by my self car for 4 days due to my luggage and laptop issue so in seva Sindhu site I need to opted transist travel but destination I am unable to select Banglore or Karnataka state
We total of 12 people travelling to vijayawada via bengaluru from addis Ababa. Can we go directly to final destination by booking domestic flight or institutional quarantine is mandatory in bengaluru ? Please reply
I have to travel to Bangalore for two days personal work from Vijayawada. I may travel by road or by air. What is the procedure to travel. Please help in getting the details
Planning to travel from Bangalore to Gorakhpur in UP via Delhi and back the same route to bangalore after attending business meeting for three days. What is the quarantine rules in delhi while changing flight , at UP and back in Bangalore
I have e pass and i have work in bnglr . Only 1 day . Ill be in bnglr i have return ticket also . After reach railway station . They dnt send na qurntine
Hi all
What is normal category?? In Sindhu seva portal
Iam from mumbai and my son is 10 years old will he and me be exempted from quarantine when I travel to Bangalore
My daughter want to go to Bangalore from Jharkhand. Please give advice for quarantine status.
I want to go bangalore but i stay in noida , i have to go via Delhi by flight will i have to quarantined .i will stay more than 7 days
what to keep state as present address and destination state in transit traveller
Hii sir i am durga prasad i got job in esic medical college kalaburagi. I have to report in my posting place.i have only one train to go to kalaburagi and that train runs only daytime. i will reach kalaburagi evening 6:30. I have to spend night and report to the office next morning can i get permission to that. I am ready to go quarantine after this process. Please help me with my problem
I would like to travel to Bangalore by road (own vehicle) to collect my luggage and come back on same day. Should I apply for e- pass and which category should I opt?
Shifting from Kolkata to bangalore for new job, can u pls guide what are the current rules and regulations for home quarantine.
Hai sir, I’m planning to go kempegowda International Airport, Bengaluru from kanyakumari, Tamilnadu. What are the procedure for the travel from my native.
Hi,
I want to travel to Bangalore from Kerala, collect my luggage and return the next day, ie. within 48hrs. Both entry and exit via same Checkpost at Krishnagiri.
Which category of epass should be requested for this?
Thanks in Advance
Hi, I came to bangalore on 22nd June from bihar and currently in home quarantine. On 24th June my cousin expired and i need to visit home. Is there a way by which i can bypass home quarantine and travel to Bihar.
Dear Sir, I am planning to bring back my Father from Pune to my house ( bangalore), he is 73 years and is currently staying with my sister. Need your help and guidance :
– can I bring him via flights? Is it safe?
– does he need to go through institutional Quarantine?
– do I need to get a pass for him from the devani site?
Thank you in advance for your guidance and support