Maharashtra scraps requirement of negative RT-PCR test for truck drivers entering the state

The Maharashtra Government on Saturday scrapped the requirement of a negative RT-PCR test to be carried by drivers of trucks crossing the state borders after opposition from e-commerce companies, FMCG firms and transport lobbies.

Instead of a negative RT-PCR test, the state government has now mandated that the body temperature and status on the Centre’s Covid-19 tracing app Aarogya Setu be checked for truck drivers and their helpers. If they display any symptoms they are to be taken to the nearest Covid Care Centre, the order stated.

In its order dated 12 May, the state government had mandated a series of precautionary steps to “break the chain” of the novel coronavirus transmission in the state. Among other things, this required truck drivers and their helpers to carry a less-than-48-hour old negative RT-PCR test which would be valid only for the subsequent seven days.