Ever since the Covid-19 pandemic has commenced, Maharashtra has been struggling with a huge number of coronavirus cases. The state recorded more than 24,625 new cases in the last 24 hours. Mumbai recorded the highest ever daily count of 3,260 cases. On Sunday, the state had reported a spike of 30,535 new cases. The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) on Saturday issued a circular on conducting random Rapid Antigen Tests (RAT) at crowded places like malls, railway stations, state transport bus depots, tourist places and markets. The guidelines were issued by Municipal Commissioner Iqbal Singh Chahal.
According to the circular, visitors at malls will have to pay charges themselves for the tests; in other places, the BMC will conduct free tests. Officials said refusal to test will attract action under the Epidemic Act, 1897. A test will cost Rs 250.
As per the BMC, antigen tests will be conducted at 27 malls, nine railway stations and four bus depots. Major shopping hubs like CR-2 Mall in Nariman Point, Sobo Central Malls at Tardeo, Phoenix Mall in Lower Parel, Atria Mall in Worli, Infinity Mall in Andheri, Oberoi Mall at Goregaon, Phoenix Mall at Kurla and R City Mall in Ghatkopar, will see random tests. Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT), Dadar, Bandra Terminus, Lokmanya Tilak Terminus and Mumbai Central will run testing camps organised by the BMC. The state transport bus depots, Mumbai Central, Parel, Borivali and Kurla will conduct 4,000 tests daily. Along with these places, 24,000 tests will be conducted in tourist places, khau gallis, market areas, beaches, government offices and restaurants every day.
The rapid antigen tests will give results in 10 to 20 minutes. If a person tests positive, he or she will be taken to civic isolation centres.