BMC to screen outstation passengers at Dadar railway station from Nov 25

As the number of COVID-19 cases witnesses a surge in the city, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) will start screening outstation train commuters by spot testing for coronavirus symptoms at Dadar railway station from Wednesday, November 25.

This came a day after Maharashtra government announced its decision to compulsorily test passengers coming from Delhi-NCR, Rajasthan, Gujarat and Goa.

All the passengers travelling from these four destinations by trains will have to show a negative report, obtained 96 hours prior to the journey at the time of arrival. In case a passenger does not have a test report, they will be screened. For those found to be symptomatic will be tested using antigen kits on the spot.

The civic body has appointed nodal officers to screen and facilitate antigen tests at all outstation railway stations in the city, said in a circular issued by BMC on November 24.

BMC also said mentioned that the appointed nodal officers will coordinate and arrange for the screening of outstation passengers arriving at the various railway stations. The teams will ensure that all exits are covered.

If the commuter is found positive, they will be admitted to a Covid Care Centre but will have to bear the cost of treatment themselves. For commuters arriving at Dadar station, Dr. Mohite said that the concerned passenger will be quarantined at Vanita Samaj Kovid Center in North Division.

In addition to this, BMC officials have informed all the wards -- Borivli, Andheri, Bandra Terminus, Mumbai Central, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT) and Kurla to be on alert. These wards to have major stations where outstations train arrive. 

Meanwhile, BMC had also written to Mumbai International Airport Limited (MIAL) requesting it to follow the protocols issued by the state government. The guidelines issued on air travel include a person having a negative RT-PCR test result in the last 72 hours. If travellers do not have a report, they can also opt for spot testing.

Further, people travelling by road to Maharashtra will have to undergo screening at the check posts on borders. Those found with symptoms will have to undergo an antigen test.

The state government has raised the possibility of a second wave of COVID-19 and the municipal system has been alerted and various measures are being taken to prevent the increase of coronavirus infection in the city and state.