Delhi to make -ve RT-PCR report mandatory for travellers coming from five states

New Delhi: Delhi is looking to make negative RT-PCR reports mandatory from Friday midnight onwards for travellers coming from five states — Maharashtra, Kerala, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh and Punjab — by flights, trains or buses, according to senior officials of the Delhi government.

However, according to one official, no notification has been issued to this effect yet as the process is still in the pipeline. The details of the entire process are yet to be decided, the official added.

The issue had also been discussed in a meeting of the Delhi Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) on Monday, chaired by L-G Anil Baijal.

The decision comes after the five states reported a spike in Coronavirus cases and the requirement of the RT-PCR test results will carry on till March 15 noon or till further notice an official from the L-G's office confirmed to Millennium Post.

However, those taking the highway can enter the Capital without the report. Official orders are yet to be issued.

The DDMA took the decision after reports showed that 86 per cent of the new virus cases came from these five states from February 15 onwards.

Officers in the five states have been asked to verify Covid negative reports from tests taken up to 72 hours before allowing passengers to leave for the Capital.

On Tuesday, Maharashtra recorded the highest number of 5,210 new cases, followed by Kerala (2,212) and Tamil Nadu (449). Maharashtra reported 18 deaths, followed by Kerala with 16 and Punjab 15, said the Health ministry.

Maharashtra is showing a daily surge in COVID-19 cases, according to an official of the Union Health ministry. Kerala is showing an incremental decline but the daily cases in absolute numbers are still high over there. Punjab, with its daily increase in cases, is also a cause of worry.

Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh are also showing an increase in daily cases, the Central government official had said on Tuesday.