The Ministry of Home Affairs on Monday issued a standardoperating procedure (SOP) for the movement of people by trains and made itclear that only asymptomatic and confirmed ticket holders will be allowed totravel.
In an order, Union Home Secretary Ajay Bhalla said allpassengers will have to wear face masks and observe social distancing normsduring while entering a station and during travel.
“Only those passengers with confirmed e-tickets shallbe allowed to enter the station. The movement of the passenger(s) as well asthe driver of the vehicle transporting the passenger(s) to and fro the railwaystation shall be allowed on the basis of the confirmed e-ticket,” theorder said.
The Ministry of Railways will ensure that passengers shallbe compulsorily screened and only those who are asymptomatic will be allowed toenter or board a train.
The home ministry said all passengers shall be provided handsanitiser at stations and in coaches.
On arrival at their destination, the travelling passengerswill have to adhere to such health protocols as are prescribed by thedestination state or union territory.
For the first time since March 25, when the lockdown began,a total of 15 trains for different destinations will leave New Delhi on Tuesdayfor which bookings began on Monday.
Giving an indication that the government is inclined toallow more trains to ply, the home ministry said the movement of trains shallbe permitted by the Ministry of Railways in a graded manner, in consultationwith the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) and the Ministry of HomeAffairs (MHA).
“Train schedule, protocols for booking, entry andmovement of passengers, and coach service specifications shall be widelypublicised by the Ministry of Railways,” the order said.
The health advisories and guidelines will be circulated bythe Ministry of Railways through the Information, Education and Communication(IEC) campaign for their staff members and passengers.