An Absolute Post-Covid Travel Guide To Maharashtra: How To Explore This Gem Of Sahyadri Range Safely

23 Mar 2023

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Coronavirus came and uprooted the travel industry throughout the world, and Maharashtra was no exception either. Apart from being a home to the financial capital, Maharashtra is a hub for tourists from all over the world, and a plethora of hill stations. While every traveller is looking forward to exploring the state with full zeal, this post-covid travel guide to Maharashtra will let you know about the details, the current travel aspects and tourism prospects in the state. It will answer your questions like “is it safe to travel Maharashtra during Corona?” and give you an overall perspective about the latest travel guidelines to Maharashtra.

Travel restrictions Maharashtra will let the tourists a glance at the movement within the cities along with curtailed timings pertaining to travel. Read on our blog to know more:

Maharashtra Travel Advisory During Covid Best Time To Visit How To Reach Getting Around Places To Visit In Maharashtra During Covid Things To Do In Maharashtra During Covid Accommodation Restaurants What To Pack Travel Checklist Covid-19 Prerequisites And Consequences In Maharashtra Further Travel Tips

Maharashtra Travel Advisory During Covid

Make sure you go through the thermal screening

Maharashtra is the worst affected state that has seen the worst days of Covid-19 with around 20-30 thousand cases in a day. But that was 3 months ago. Currently, the state has 75,000 active cases out of a total of 1.8 million cases. But the good news is that the recovery rate is high and with over 1.7 million recoveries made, it stands at an all-time high now. The active cases are also declining steadily with multiple restrictions and lockdowns in specific places put in place. Maharashtra travel rules suggest that all the passengers travelling to Maharashtra must have Aarogya Setu App downloaded on their mobile phones for sure. Some of the travel guidelines for Maharashtra are as follows:

International flights remain suspended. However, limited international flights are operating under the air travel bubble.
Only fully vaccinated travellers are allowed to enter the state.
Carrying a negative RT-PCR report is mandatory for travellers coming from other states.
Lockdown-like restrictions have been imposed across the state.
All public places remain shut, including bars, cinema halls. Only essential services are allowed to operate.
Public programmes and social gatherings are not allowed.
Certain places of entertainment such as theatres, cinema halls, multiplexes, swimming pools, and water parks auditoriums remain shut.
Restaurants and bars and shops are open till 10 pm at 50% capacity with fully vaccinated staff.
Shopping malls are open till 10 pm with fully vaccinated staff and it is mandatory for visitors to carry a COVID-19 vaccine certificate.
Salons, spas, gyms, and beauty parlours are allowed to stay open till 10 pm.
Temples and religious places are closed for devotees.
Mumbai Local Train Services have resumed with 50% of the capacity of fully vaccinated passengers
Masks are mandatory for travel in public transport.

Must Read: Top 19 Places To Visit In Maharashtra In Summer 2022 For A Cool Vacation!

Best Time To Visit

Quarantine rules Maharashtra must be abided by all the domestic and foreign tourists coming to explore the state. Maharashtra is a huge state and there are different seasons applicable for specific places. However, an ideal Maharashtra trip must be made during the months of October to March. They are the best time to visit Maharashtra as the time offers a great climate which is perfect for vacationers who want to witness the scenic beauty.

How To Reach

Maharashtra has no dearth of airports as there are about 14 of them. Railroad connectivity is also very prominent in Maharashtra. Despite the amazing Sahyadri range of mountains, railways are a lifeline that passes through the hilly jungles passing scenic views and ghats. Also, road connectivity from nearby states are more than enough for easy accessibility to the state. The 2 most important cities in the state are Mumbai, the financial capital of India and Pune, the quiet and peaceful metropolitan. All the tourists are requested to follow all the protocols, rules and regulations stated in the Maharashtra tourist guidelines for remarkable travel experiences of the travellers.

Getting Around

Maharashtra travel advisory clearly states that getting around the cities and towns. Here is detailed information about intrastate travel:

Private bus associations have to take all necessary steps including providing sanitisers and ensuring people wear masks inside the buses.
The Mumbai Metropolitan Region is seeing a lot of bus services in recent days.
MSRTC inter-district bus services have also resumed services from the 20th of August.
No e-pass is required for state-run bus services.
Now, passenger movement by private bus and other operators are allowed.
A requirement for e-pass is needed for interstate travel.

Places To Visit In Maharashtra During Covid

Post-covid travel guide to Maharashtra is obviously incomplete without letting travellers know which destinations and places are open. While there are many places to visit in Maharashtra, the various hill stations, religious places and attractions are open. They will have to strictly follow safety guidelines in order to welcome visitors. Some amazing ones from the list of places and hill stations in Maharashtra are Lonavala, Khandala, Nashik, Pune, Panchgani, Matheran, Mahabaleshwar and so many more. The list is just endless! Maharashtra tourist restrictions are issued considering the personal interests of every individual who loves to travel and explore.

Things To Do In Maharashtra During Covid

So, what all things can you do in Maharashtra during Covid? There are plenty. Some of the adventure sites and wildlife parks are open. Certain attractions are also open, although for limited times. Out of all, camping and paragliding are the top adventurous things to do in Maharashtra. Other than these, you can enjoy bicycle tours, camping, heritage walks, safaris, and finally, enthralling adventure sports. Yes, some of the top recreational activities are open and we highly recommend you to follow guidelines and rules as laid out by the officials.

Accommodation

Stay-in facilities at the hotels, resorts and villas in Maharashtra are open and you may choose any of them for staycation. If you work, then there are plenty of cottages and homestays in Maharashtra that offer free WiFi where you can relax and also work. All accommodation in the state have been advised to make sure that all arrangements are made.

Sanitizers, masks, isolated rooms, regular sanitization of common touching points, etc. have been added in the SOP provided by the government. The officials and tourism agencies are also encouraging homestay and caravan tourism in the various hill stations of Maharashtra.

Restaurants

Restaurants, bars and cafes in Mumbai and Maharashtra were allowed to open from the first week of October 2020 to the beginning of the year 2022. However, due to the recent surge in the Covid-19 cases in the state, restaurants and all other eateries are only allowed to provide take-away and parcel services. Dine-in facilities at restaurants and cafes are currently not allowed.

What To Pack

pack all the clothes according to weather

Here is a list of the essential things to pack for travelling to Maharashtra for a safe and sound trip:

Carry your usual meds in case you are undergoing any treatment along with the prescription.
A first-aid kit with the mandatory items to get you through the trip would be advisable.
Take suitable masks, disposable gloves, and sanitizers are mandatory.
Pack light, but pack cotton clothes to change easily and regularly during covid times.
Don’t forget your slippers, sunscreen, swimwear, and sunglasses.
Insect repellent is a must for everyone.

Suggested Read: 6 Temples In Maharashtra For A Pilgrimage Tour

Travel Checklist

Pre-book your flights and hotel.
Pre-book your restaurants, attraction visits and sightseeing destinations
Carry a negative covid report approved by ICMR certified labs dated 48 hours before travel.
Download the Aarogya setu app on your mobile.
Keep all the maps and contact information of important personnel at all times.

Covid-19 Prerequisites And Consequences In Maharashtra

Make sure you go through the thermal screening and Covid test at the airport.
On showing any covid-19 symptoms, people traveling whether solo or in a group, will have to go through PCR testing.
At least 14 days quarantine is mandatory if tested positive and will continue until test is not negative

Further Travel Tips

Apart from the usual Maharashtra travel tips that we can suggest, here are some other tips that will help you keep your health and safety in check:

Carry and wear your mask throughout your travel period.
Keep extra sanitizers, masks, and wipes for back up.
Avoid being a part of any large social gatherings.
Hotel stay must be sanitized on a regular basis.
Do not fail to follow social distancing.
Even if you are tested negative in PCR testing, make sure you avoid the crowded areas.

Further Read: 5 Beautiful Islands In Maharashtra One Must Visit To Enjoy A Tropical Vacation!

So, we hope that the above few pointers will help you to plan a post covid trip to Maharashtra. This was our aim as we continue to ensure that while travel remains on your agenda, safety must also be a high priority. This post-covid travel guide to Maharashtra should answer enough of your questions for now.

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Please Note: Any information published by TravelTriangle in any form of content is not intended to be a substitute for any kind of medical advice, and one must not take any action before consulting a professional medical expert of their own choice.

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