Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai has issued guidelines for COVID-19 testing to make testing a seamless and accessible process for everyone in Mumbai. Earlier, a person could access testing only if they displayed symptoms of COVID-19 symptoms and a doctor’s prescription.
Citizens of Mumbai can test themselves for COVID-19 without a doctor’s prescription according to Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai. They have issued detailed guidelines for COVID-19 testing to make it accessible to all the people in Mumbai.
Earlier, a person could access testing only if they displayed symptoms of COVID-19 symptoms and a doctor’s prescription. This is beneficial for those who do not have symptoms of COVID-19.
The guidelines state that there is no need for a prescription or self-declaration for testing of symptomatic or asymptomatic individuals. Home swab collections are also allowed and no prescription is required for the same.
Municipal Commissioner Iqbal Singh Chahal took this decision in view of the increasing number of private laboratories in the city.
Maharashtra Cabinet Minister Adithya Thackeray says that this decision will help citizens feel safer and test whenever they have a doubt, without any delays.
As per the Maharashtra government orders, a private lab in Mumbai can charge Rs. 2,500 for a COVID-19 test. The rate is Rs. 2,800 if the test is conducted at home. So far, more than 3,60,000 tests have been conducted in Mumbai. Additionally, those kept in institutional quarantine will be discharged only when they test negative for COVID-19.
Source: ANI