[Fernang]

Complete a trip from Bangalore - Palakkad -Bangalore, Through Salem, Coimbatore.

As member rohitoasis posted earlier, can confirm - NO Covid checking at any of the border crossings. (Walayar and Attibele Toll) None of the vehicles travelling were stopped for enquiry by the officials.

Was driving a KA registered Vehicle, Left Friday Evening, Returned Sunday night.

Most probably the checks are being done at the airport and not at any other location.

[sandsun7]

Originally Posted by Fernang

Most probably the checks are being done at the airport and not at any other location.

I can confirm that checking for covid negative RTPC test certificate is on 24/7 and the officials there are very strict at Makutta, border between Kannur and Kodagu.

[Fernang]

Originally Posted by sandsun7

I can confirm that checking for covid negative RTPC test certificate is on 24/7 and the officials there are very strict at Makutta, border between Kannur and Kodagu.

So based on evidence then the inference here is that there is check at the Kerala-Karnataka Border, but not at the Kerala-TN and TN-Karnataka border for vehicles.

[sandsun7]

Originally Posted by Fernang

So based on evidence then the inference here is that there is check at the Kerala-Karnataka Border, but not at the Kerala-TN and TN-Karnataka border for vehicles.

yes. But have seen some reports that KL registered vehicles are being randomly stopped and checked for test reports at Attibele (TN-KA border check post).

[kap04]

Travelled TVM-BLR via Madurai yesterday (01/03) in my KA registered vehicle. We weren't stopped anywhere for any check. But we had got the RT-PCR done, as we had to send the results to the property manager before we arrived.

[rajblr]

Originally Posted by sandsun7

I can confirm that checking for covid negative RTPC test certificate is on 24/7 and the officials there are very strict at Makutta, border between Kannur and Kodagu.

Yes, I travelled back to Bangalore through Makutta on last Sunday with the test reports. They have built a temporary booth and every vehicle is getting stopped there. They write down your details from the report and let you pass. There was so many trucks and private vehicles queued up a the check post probably hoping they can pass through but the officials were very strict. As I reached the border close to 6AM I could navigate on the other lane and pass through the queue faster. In fact I did waste 10min waiting in the queue thinking all of them are waiting with reports!

[srikanthmadhava]

Came to Bangalore through Iritty - Makutta border on 28th Feb Sunday.

There was a huge pile up (may be more than a 1km) of trucks parked on the narrow ghat road (facing towards Karnataka), because they were not allowed entry without RT-PCR report. Private vehicles without report were also denied entry. We had to go in the 'right side' lane because of the parked trucks and this created issues with trucks entering Kerala through same lane and generally narrow roads.

We had the report ready and had to submit the same for us to be allowed entry. No checking anywhere after the border. Ours is KA registered vehicle.

[balenoed_]

Any latest update on travel from Palakkad to Bangalore with reference to RTPCR checks?

Now with TN mandating quarantine and negative test results, wouldn't be there a check at Walayar for people entering to TN from Kerala atleast, if not at Attibele?

A friend wanted to go pick his mother from Palakkad and come back to Bangalore this weekend, but doesn't want to get through the test procedures. Wondering if he can try that.

[Gannu_1]

Parents drove to Coimbatore from Palakkad and returned today. No checking of any sorts by the cops on both sides although cops are stationed in the service lane at the usual spot.

[arun_josie]

One of my friend came to Banglaore in flight from Trivandrum, no checking was done.

He returned in car via Madurai, Sengottai to Trivandrum, again no checking anywhere.

[balenoed_]

Any latest (past 2 days) update on the checking on Palakkad - Bangalore stretch? So as to be more clear for a trip on this weekend, for a friend.

[rohitoasis]

Originally Posted by balenoed_

Any latest (past 2 days) update on the checking on Palakkad - Bangalore stretch? So as to be more clear for a trip on this weekend, for a friend.

Walayar: No checking as of yesterday and today morning too. Been commuting as normal. 2 cops during the evenings, but no vehicle is getting stopped. None at all in the mornings.

[binand]

Originally Posted by rohitoasis

Walayar: No checking as of yesterday and today morning too. Been commuting as normal. 2 cops during the evenings, but no vehicle is getting stopped. None at all in the mornings.

Yesterday (4th) evening I saw some people with torches stopping vehicles. This was at around 10.30 PM. I saw a couple of trucks and a KL-registered Traveller stopped by them (ie, parked on the roadside where these people were).

This was at the starting point of KG Chavadi bypass (towards Coimbatore).

Edit: Possible that this was election-related checking.

[binand]

Originally Posted by binand

Yesterday (4th) evening I saw some people with torches stopping vehicles. This was at around 10.30 PM.

Replying to self.

After this I took a night halt at Coimbatore and started for Bangalore at around 12 noon. Big mistake - it was incredibly hot on the road (at some point, I noticed my mobile showing 38°C). I turned off the highway at Bhavani and took the Mettur-Mecheri-Palacode-Kelamangalam-Attibele route which is tree-lined and shady for the most part (except the sad-looking hillocks along the ghat road between Mecheri-Pennagaram). Added a couple of hours to the journey but it was a lot more pleasant.

I also stopped to buy and consume an ORS drink from a wayside medical store. I strongly advise anyone contemplating driving through TN during daytime for the next several months to carry a supply of these.

[motorsan]

Travelled from Kerala to Bangalore yesterday (6-Mar).

Route: Palakkad -> Coimbatore -> Salem -> Hosur -> Bagalur

Was carrying negative RT-PCR test results for all travelers. But did not encounter any checking anywhere. We travelled during day time.

RT-PCR test experience:

Went to a private lab on Thursday to do the RT-PCR test. The technician took nasal swabs (both nostrils) and throat swabs from each of us. I was a bit apprehensive about how my 7-year old daughter will tolerate the nasal swab. But she did not face much discomfort. (It probably helped that she had a bit of a runny nose). I on the other hand, felt the swab going all the way up my nostrils and the feeling of something inside my nose stayed for the rest of the day.

The results came the next day morning (all negative). With 1600 charged per person, burnt a sizeable hole in the pocket. As the RT-PCR test is a must for gulf travelers, most labs and hospitals in Kerala appear well versed with the process.