Tests for people going out without valid reasons

PANVEL: Navi Mumbai police, on Saturday, started conducting Covid tests on residents moving around in Panvel area without valid reasons. It is also continuing crackdown on violation of Covid norms with more than 35,000 persons booked in the last couple of months.

The tests have been initiated as a deterrent and also to ensure the safety of others who could be afflicted with the virus.

Senior police inspector, Ajay Landge of Panvel city police station, said, “Though cases are coming down in the region in the past few days, the chain has not been broken yet. Some residents are, however, getting complacent and have started coming out for no valid reason.

“A PCMC team, led by Dr Anjali Sawant, has been stationed at Uran Naka in a van to conduct the test. On Saturday, we nabbed almost 100 such people. Apart from levying fine on them, we’ve also made them undergo both rapid antigen and RT-PCR tests.

“While all those who underwent rapid antigen tests have tested negative, we will check the RT-PCR test results as well. Those who test positive will be traced and sent for quarantine. We have taken their addresses.

“While for those in essential services it is mandatory to have been tested, those simply going out for walks and strolls are not tested and could pose a health risk to others. It is necessary that they get tested.”

Landge said, “In Zone II region from Kharghar to Panvel and the rural areas, more than 35,000 people have been booked so far since the start of the pandemic this year. Of these, 5,500 have been booked for not wearing a mask in public. Other violations include not maintaining social distancing, establishment timing and other violations, moving about sans e-pass etc. The most common excuse given is that people have to get medicines from pharmacies.”