Mumbai’s civic body, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has decided to conduct the test for the coronavirus for auto-rickshaw and taxi drivers across the city.
On Tuesday, May 18, officials of the civic body gave instructions regarding the same to the concerned departments. Accordingly, test camps are touted to be set up in different parts of Mumbai. However, even though there is no compulsion to get tested, the BMC has urged the citizens to come forward for the COVID-19 test.
With cases of coronavirus witnessing a spike amidst the second wave, the BMC had earlier targeted to conduct at least 50,000 tests in crowded places. Moreover, the corporation had decided to conduct these tests in public places like the beach, malls, as well as eateries.
On the other hand, RTPCR testing for the coronavirus has been made mandatory for drivers and employees of foreign freight vehicles. Moreover, it is stipulated that the COVID-19 test should be done 48 hours before travel, and not more than that. Therefore, transporters will have to search for RTPCR test centres in villages near the Maharashtra border after loading the goods. In many states, it takes 2-3 days to get the RTPCR test report. Therefore, until the test report is received by the freighters, there will be no movement.
As a result, vehicles transporting medicines, health products, food grains, raw materials for factories, import-export goods are likely to be delayed. This can lead to a delay of 2-3 days for the goods to reach the desired destination. Many vehicles carry oxygen cylinders, oxygen tankers cross state borders due to which problems are also likely to arise if these vehicles are delayed. In addition, goods purchased online are also likely to be delayed in reaching consumers.
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