Maharashtra gives RT-PCR test report exemption to travellers having at least 15-day gap from 2nd COVID-19 dose

Mumbai: The Maharashtra government has exempted those people who have got both the doses of the COVID-19 vaccine from carrying a negative RT-PCR test report for entering the state, although there has to be a gap of at least 15 days between the second dose and the date of arrival. An order to this effect was issued late night on Thursday by state chief secretary Sitaram Kunte. A person entering the state should be vaccinated with both doses of the COVID-19 vaccine and 15 days should have lapsed since the administration of the second dose. That person should be in possession of the final vaccination certificate issued through the COWIN portal, the order said. “Such persons will be exempted from mandatory requirement of possessing a negative RT-PCR report on their entry into the state,” it said. This exemption is applicable to domestic as well as international travellers, it added. Despite the exemption order in place, all passengers irrespective of the status of vaccination must follow COVID-appropriate behaviour all the time, the order said. The time interval of the validity of the RT-PCR test for all other persons will be 72 hours instead of 48 hours, it added.