COVID-19: Maharashtra govt makes RT-PCR test mandatory for travelers from Kerala

The Maharashtra government has made RT-PCR test mandatory for travelers from Kerala, which has been reporting a high number of COVID-19 cases, to check the spread of the viral infection in the western state, an official said on Thursday.

Kerala's active cases touched 64,390 on Wednesday, the highest in the country. The southern state also reported 5,980 fresh COVID-19 cases on Wednesday, as per official figures.

The decision of compulsory RT-PCR test for travellers from Kerala has come into effect from Wednesday, Maharashtra's secretary for relief and rehabilitation (additional charge), said Anoop Kumar

The test has to be done 72 hours before the commencement of travel, he added.

On Wednesday, Maharashtra reported 3,451 new COVID-19 cases on Wednesday. There are 35,633 active COVID-19 cases in the state at present.