MUMBAI: Within 24 hours after the Maharashtra government introduced mandatory Covid tests for travelers from Delhi, Rajasthan, Gujarat and Goa at the state’s airports and train stations, the Center has urged that the new rules be keep it on hold until December 1.
The request came on Wednesday, even as rail and airport authorities were struggling to clear the long lines of impatient passengers who huddled at departure points, waiting to be searched.
In total, 10 passengers out of 9,779 tested positive in Central Mumbai, Bandra, Borivli, Dadar, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus and Lokmanya Tilak Terminus when they alighted from trains coming from the four states under the scanner.
A senior bureaucrat said TOI that the central government has presented two presentations: first, to defer the implementation of the guidelines until December 1; and second, instead of RT-PCR tests, use antigen kits for airline passengers, as they produce results more quickly. He said a decision would be made “as soon as possible” after consulting with the Mumbai municipal commissioner.
Chief Secretary Sanjay Kumar said the state has already exempted pilots and flight attendants from the RT-PCR test, and now a similar request has come from the Defense Ministry.
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